Giant Pre-Columbian Funeral Urns Discovered in Brazilian Amazon: What Secrets Do They Hold?
The Unexpected Discovery Of The Funeral Urns
Márcio AmaralLocals aided archaeologists in removing and transporting the urns.
This discovery was announced on June 11 via a statement from the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. In the statement, researcher Geórgea Layla Holanda described the urns:
“They are large in size and have no visible ceramic lids, which may indicate the use of organic materials for sealing, which have now decomposed. They were buried 40 centimeters (16 inches) deep, probably under old houses.”
Researchers credited local villagers for their part in the discovery, particularly local fisherman Walfredo Cerquiera, who recognized the value of the find and reached out to Father Joaquim Silva at the Tefé Prison Ministry. The priest then contacted archaeologist Márcio Amaral, who led the expedition to the site.
The excavation posed unique challenges. Because of the condition of the urns and the location, archaeologists had to stand on an elevated structure made of wood and vines — only possible thanks to the help of locals.
“We had never excavated like this, 3.2 meters (10.5 feet) above the ground, with the installation of an elevation datum for stratigraphic control,” Amaral said. “It was completely collaborative and unprecedented work.”
Excavating And Transporting The Artifacts
Geórgea Layla HolandaThe improvised scaffolding required for the excavation.
The process of transporting the urns to the Mamirauá Institute in Tefé for further analysis was also complex, requiring canoes, temporary camps, and creative methods to protect the urns. The remote location of the site only compounded the difficulty. Once the urns were safely at the headquarters, however, researchers were able to study them further.
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