Lozada Mendieta, N et al 2016 Archaeology in the Átures Rapids of the Middle Orinoco, Venezuela. Archaeology International, No. 19: pp. 73–78, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/ai.1913

RESEARCH UPDATE Archaeology in the Átures Rapids of the Middle Orinoco, Venezuela Natalia Lozada Mendieta, José Oliver and Philip Riris

Project Aims Research Context This paper briefly reports on the initial The Orinoco River is the salient physio- results of a new Leverhulme-sponsored graphic feature that shaped the unfolding of four-year archaeological project (RPG 234- history of the aboriginal groups living along 2014) centred on the Átures Rapids area its fringes. It stretches for over 2,200 km from of the Middle Orinoco River, Amazonas its source in the Parima range of the Guyana State, Venezuela (Fig. 1). The Cotúa Island uplands debauching into the Atlantic Ocean. Reflexive Archaeology Project seeks to estab- Its basin drains an area of 880,995 km2 with lish the longue durée historical processes major tributary rivers originating in the that by early colonial times culminated Northern Andes and Guiana uplands, whilst in the region’s reputation for being a key the Casiquiare Canal connects the Orinoco crossroads – where diverse ethno-linguistic to the Upper Río Negro. Along its course, the groups from far-flung regions converged to main channel traverses biodiverse habitats trade (Oliver et al. 2014). Harnessing new evi- (Lasso et al. 2010); including dense tropical dence, it aims to elucidate how interaction rain forest in the upper reaches and savan- between such diverse indigenous groups nahs with gallery forests in the middle and unfolded and the role it played in forg- lower reaches. The Orinoco region cur- ing ethnogenesis. Through archaeological rently comprises over 26 indigenous groups research, it seeks to gain new insights into (Gassón, 2002) representing a diverse cul- its history and elucidate regional patterns tural mosaic that is thought to have ancient of exchange through the study of technical pre-colonial roots. Several points along the and stylistic dimensions of material culture. Middle Orinoco have been identified as It also aims to investigate the abundant important trading loci, linking the Llanos of pre-colonial rock art and its relationships the Orinoco with the Guianas (Morey, 1975; to the landscape and aboriginal oral tradi- Zucchi and Gassón, 2002). But among these tions. Finally, it seeks to understand how loci, the most notorious is the Átures area. Western and Non-western archaeological The Berrío Expedition (1584) documents knowledge is produced by engaging with indicate that the Isla de Los Adoles (or Átures the current indigenous groups as partners in Island) was the only area to qualify as a trade (re)constructing­ history. centre (Ojer 1960). Two reasons were given. First, the Spaniards repeatedly remarked on the bountiful availability of fish in the Átures Rapids –i.e., a reliable, year-round store of UCL Institute of Archaeology, London WC1H 0PY, GB proteins. Second, upriver navigation from Corresponding author: Natalia Lozada Mendieta the delta finds its first major obstacle for ([email protected]) navigation in the rapids, therefore forcing 74 Lozada Mendieta et al: Archaeology in the Átures Rapids of the Middle Orinoco, Venezuela an obligatory detour for all canoe travel- and Valloid traditions found in the same lers. Thus situated, Átures (see Fig. 1) was an occupation context and the occurrence of important crossroad for exchange and inter- ‘hybrid’ ceramics that share decorative and action among different indigenous groups. tempering elements. However, the nature of According to Spanish sources, this area was the social processes (trade, exchange, migra- inhabited by Ádole Indians who regularly tion) that may have led to such admixture or traded with Carib-speaking parties from ‘hybridity’ of ceramic traditions is still poorly Guiana and with various other ethnic groups understood. The aboriginal trade dynamics from the Venezuelan-Colombian Llanos of the 16th to 18th centuries, influenced by (plains). The islanders exchanged fish, crops colonial powers, ought not to be assumed and wood for ceramic vessels, metal weap- to be similar in pre-colonial times (Zucchi ons, beads and indigenous slaves (Del Rey and Gassón 2002). Furthermore, these tra- Fajardo, 1966). Besides the Ádole two other ditions are suggested to correlate with the groups, Yaruro and Máipure, inhabited these distribution of two major linguistic families – islands. All along the Middle Orinoco the Arawakan (Saladoid, Barrancoid) and Carib salient characteristic is the co-presence and (Arauqinoid, Valloid) –, which is problematic intersection of different cultural, ethnic and when extended back into the pre-colonial linguistic groups. A small number of archaeo- past (Tarble and Zucchi 1984; Tarble 1985). logical studies conducted in the Átures region (Cruxent, 1950; Barse, 1989; Gassón 2002) Fieldwork and Preliminary Results seem to support the notion of a multi-eth- The first fieldwork season was conducted in nic trading centre in pre-colonial times. This September 2015 at the Culebra site, located assertion is based on the presence of earlier at the confluence of the Cataniapo and Saladoid and Barrancoid or later Arauquinoid the Orinoco rivers (see Fig. 1). Systematic

Figure 1: The Átures Rapids area, Middle Orinoco River. Insets: (a) The Guayuco Rapids; (b) Excavation at Picure site; (c) Petroglyph; (d) Quartz flakes and cores from Culebra site (Photos the Project). Lozada Mendieta et al: Archaeology in the Átures Rapids of the Middle Orinoco, Venezuela 75 surface collections, auger tests and three X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analyses to be con- trench excavations were conducted. A total ducted later in 2016. At this time, it is pre- of 197 lithic artefacts and over 2,800 ceramic mature to confidently determine to which sherds, was retrieved. At the base of Trench C, styles and traditions the ceramic assem- a preceramic component was identified, con- blages belong. However, diagnostic ceramics sisting of crystal quartz flakes and debitage of the Barrancoid, Arauquinoid, Valloid and associated with several red ochre features. Cedeñoid traditions have been noted, along Although radiocarbon dates are awaited, a with others that cannot yet be assigned. similar assemblage from Provinical-1 site (15 To establish their relationship with the km to the north of Culebra) yielded a single broader Orinoco region, the ceramic materi- uncalibrated date of 9020 ± 100 BP (Barse als from 23 different archaeological sites in 1989). The top 20–25cm of Trenches A and B the Orinoco and the Western Llanos were contained the bulk of the ceramic deposi- reviewed. These collections are curated at tion at Culebra, mixed with appreciable the Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones amounts of cracked milky quartz. Trenches Científicas in Caracas and the Enzo Ceccarelli A-B lacked evidence of a preceramic occupa- Museum in Puerto Ayacucho. tion. The analysis of the data and artefacts is still ongoing whilst the results of charcoal Documenting Rock Art samples submitted for dating are currently The corpus of engraved rock in the Orinoco being processed. Tentatively, the evidence region has received sporadic attention com- suggests that Culebra’s occupation consisted pared to painted rock art (Greer 1995). While of temporary shacks where fisher-folk stayed older anthropological treatises tend to con- repeatedly. sider the subject unworthy of serious study, In February 2016, some scouting visits to Im Thurn (1883) recognized the potential various archaeological sites were undertaken, insights into the beliefs and practices of pre- including Rabo de Cochino Island where an colonial people. Cruxent (1949) provides important surface collection was obtained tantalizing clues as to the richness of the (to be investigated in 2017). However, work Átures petroglyphs. Tavera-Acosta (1956), focused on Picure Island, where a controlled Sujo Volsky (1975) and Dubelaar (1986) syn- surface collection and five test units, resulted thesised new information, albeit in a highly in 10,594 ceramics, 4,084 lithics and 69 abbreviated form. These earlier studies pro- beads. The beads were shaped from exotic vide an excellent backdrop against which stones, some of which were fractured dur- to compare the rich landscape of rock art ing the manufacturing process and others we encountered. To situate the extensive were unfinished. Following Roux’s (2011) undocumented corpus of rock art of Átures technical traditions methodology, an initial within a broader regional perspective, we classification was developed from 12,238 initiated a systematic survey of exposed rock excavated potsherds from the Picure and faces using computational photographic Culebra sites. Based on a preliminary mac- techniques. A total of nine locations with roscopic analysis of forming techniques and petroglyphs were included in the basic pho- paste preparation recipes (emphasizing type tographic sample (Fig. 1c). Some individual of inclusions, grain size and paste colour), zoomorphs on Picure have a surface area six different fabric groups were identified. greater than 5 m2 (Fig. 2a), in these cases Culebra exhibited an additional paste rec- structure-from-motion photogrammetry ipe. These paste groups show differentiated derived from low-altitude aerial imagery has use of inclusions/temper: sand, clay pellets, successfully reconstructed panels too large or fibre and sponge spicule (or cauxi). The con- inaccessible for single photographs. Smaller firmation of such groups will be achieved motifs of importance, for instance the depic- through micro-petrographic and portable tion of a ritual flute player were subjected to 76 Lozada Mendieta et al: Archaeology in the Átures Rapids of the Middle Orinoco, Venezuela

Figure 2: Picure Island (a) Large scale petroglyph; (b) Indigenous teachers belonging to different ethnicities discuss the archaeological excavations and meanings of the rock art from the Island (Photos the Project). data capture with reflectance transformation teachers’ group prepared a written report imaging (RTI) to capture additional surface and PowerPoint presentation that we are detail (Malzbender et al. 2001). Finally, other currently evaluating. Not surprisingly, most notable rock art sites such as Cerro Pintado of the participants supported (rather than were also visited. Analysis is currently ongo- contested) our Western-generated archaeo- ing and a database of comparative rock art is logical knowledge as a means to reaffirm being compiled. ancestral and traditional territorial rights, but also to proudly display archaeological Engaging the Indigenes material evidence of their antiquity (prec- Three activities were undertaken in 2016 edence) and of their distinct cultural values, with representatives of the Wótuha (Piaroa/ origins and traditions. Sáliva), Hiwi (Guahibo), Baré (Arawak), Baniba (Arawak), and Puinave (Macú/ Acknowledgements Caberre) groups. All participants were abo- The authors would like to thank the riginal school teachers who taught in indig- Leverhulme Trust for funding this project, enous settlements throughout Amazonas Lilliam Arvelo for the support received in State. They had gathered in Puerto Ayacucho Caracas, and Juan Carlos García and Ali Gil for a workshop on ‘Memory, Territory and who provided invaluable support in Puerto Citizenship’, organized by the Ministry of Ayacucho and in the field. Education. None had ever met an archaeolo- gist before. The first activity was a class-room Competing Interests presentation of the aims and objectives of the The authors declare that they have no com- project which were then roundly discussed as peting interests. to how our Western aims and methods of (re) constructing ancient history were relevant References to what they were learning in the workshop Barse, W 1989 A Preliminary Archaeological (Fig. 2b). The meeting was followed by a day- Sequence in the Upper Orinoco valley, long visit to Picure to observe and comment Territorio Federal del Amazonas. Unpub- on the archaeological work and the island’s lished thesis (PhD), The Catholic University rock art. Based on that field experience, the of America. Lozada Mendieta et al: Archaeology in the Átures Rapids of the Middle Orinoco, Venezuela 77

Cruxent, J 1949 Libreta de Jornadas. Puerto Available at: http://dl.acm.org/citation. Ayacucho-Orinoco 1949. No. 10-1. Unpub- cfm?id=383320. lished document: private collection. Morey, N 1975 Ethnohistory of the Colombian Cruxent, J 1950 The Archaeology of Cotúa and Venezuelan Llanos. Unpublished thesis Island, Amazonas Territory, Venezuela. (PhD), University of Utah. American Antiquity, 16(1): 10–16. Avail- Ojer, P 1960 Don Antonio de Berrío, Gober- able at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2 nador de El Dorado. Caracas: Universidad 76336?origin=crossref&seq=1#page_ Católica Andrés Bello. scan_tab_contents. DOI: http://dx.doi. Oliver J, Scaramelli, F and Arroyo-Kalin, M org/10.2307/276336 2014 The Cotúa Island Entrepôt: Build- Del Rey Fajardo J 1966 Documentos ing a Reflexive Archaeology Project in the jesuíticos relativos a la Compañía de Jesús Orinoco Basin, Venezuela. Unpublished en Venezuela, Vols. 1–3 Fuentes para la proposal submitted to the Leverhulme Historia Colonial de Venezuela, Nos. 79, Trust Fund, London. 118–119. Caracas: Biblioteca de La Roux, V 2011 Anthropological interpretation ­Academia Nacional de La Historia. of ceramic assemblages: Foundations and Dubelaar, C 1986 South American and implementations of technological analy- Caribbean Petroglyphs. Dordrecht: Foris sis. In: Scarcella, S (Ed.) Archaeological Publications. Ceramics: A Review of Current Research. Gassón, R 2002 Orinoquia: The Archaeology BAR International Series 2193–. Oxford: of the Orinoco Basin. Journal of World Archaeopress, pp. 80–88. Prehistory, 16(3): 237–311. DOI: http:// Sujo Volsky, J 1975 El estudio del arte rup- dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1020978518142 estre en Venezuela. Caracas: Universidad Greer, J 1995 Rock Art Chronology in the Ori- Católica Andrés Bello. noco Basin of Southwestern Venezuela.­ Tarble, K 1985 Un nuevo modelo de expan- Unpublished thesis (PhD), University of sión Caribe para la época prehispánica. Missouri-Columbia. Antropológica, 63–64: 45–81. Im Thurn, E 1883 Among the Indians of Tarble, K and Zucchi, A 1984 Nuevos datos Guiana. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, & Co. sobre la arqueología tardía del Orinoco: La Lasso, C, Usma, J, Trujilllo, F and Rial, A serie Valloide. Acta Científica ­Venezolana, 2010 Biodiversidad en la Cuenca del Ori- 35: 434–445. noco. Bogotá: Instituto de Investigación Tavera-Acosta, B 1956 Los Petroglifos de Venezuela. de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Caracas: Instituto de Antropología e Historia, Humboldt. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Malzbender, T, Gelb, D and Wolters, H Zucchi, A and Gassón, R 2002 Elementos 2001 Polynomial texture maps, In: SIG- para una interpretación alternativa de los GRAPH’01: Proceedings of the 28th Annual circuitos de intercambio indígena en los Conference on Computer Graphics and llanos de Venezuela y Colombia durante Interactive Techniques, Los Angeles, los siglos XVI–XVIII. Arqueología del Área 12–17 August 2001, pp. 519–528. Intermedia, 4: 65–87. 78 Lozada Mendieta et al: Archaeology in the Átures Rapids of the Middle Orinoco, Venezuela

How to cite this article: Lozada Mendieta, N, Oliver, J and Riris, P 2016 Archaeology in the Átures Rapids of the Middle Orinoco, Venezuela. Archaeology International, No. 19: pp. 73–78, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/ai.1913

Published: 12 December 2016

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