Long before the Amazon rainforest captured the world's imagination as a pristine wilderness teeming with biodiversity, it was home to a thriving population of Indigenous people who created a staggering number of earthworks, still largely hidden beneath the dense canopy. A recent study published in Science has shed light on this fascinating aspect of Amazonian history, revealing the existence of over 10,000 pre-Columbian earthwork structures, and the implications of this discovery are far-reaching.
Earthworks: A Hidden Legacy
The research, led by Vinícius Peripato, a doctoral candidate in remote sensing at Brazil's National Institute for Space Research, and his colleagues, harnessed the power of light detection and ranging (lidar) technology to uncover these hidden marvels. Lidar is an aerial scanning technique that uses lasers to map the Earth's surface with incredible precision. While initially focused on studying biomass in the Amazon, the researchers stumbled upon 24 novel earthworks during their analysis, adding to the approximately 1,000 known examples.
These earthworks, ranging in age from 500 to 1,500 years, included a fortified village, settlements, religious sites, and even intricate geoglyphs. The discovery of a fortified village with a central plaza hints at the existence of complex urban networks in the southern Amazon. Moreover, geoglyphs, a form of land art created by shaping dirt into designs that can only be appreciated from above, added another layer of intrigue to this ancient civilization's creativity.
The Invisible Amazon
To arrive at their estimate of 10,000, or possibly even double that number of hidden earthworks, the researchers employed computer modeling. This modeling considered various geographical factors, including proximity to water, elevation, and soil type. This comprehensive approach illuminated the immense scale of human involvement in the Amazon rainforest.
The significance of this revelation extends far beyond mere numbers. Archaeologist Eduardo Neves of the University of São Paulo suggests that the Amazon is not merely a "natural" region but a "biocultural" one, shaped by the interaction of humans with their environment. This study underscores the idea that the Amazon has a rich history of human habitation and is not just a wild expanse of nature.
People and Their Mark on the Forest
Intriguingly, the research also uncovered the presence of certain tree species, such as the Brazil nut and breadnut, near earthwork sites. This observation suggests that the Indigenous people were cultivating these trees and reaping their nutritional benefits at sites they frequented. This intriguing aspect not only aids archaeologists in pinpointing potential earthwork locations but also provides a tangible connection to the past.
Ratanabá laser scanning. Photo credit: Ecossistema Dakila.
A Political Tool for Indigenous Stewardship
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this discovery is its potential impact on the Indigenous people of the Amazon. As they battle to protect their ancestral lands from encroaching agricultural interests and other threats, the research serves as a powerful testament to their deep connection with the rainforest. The study lends credence to Indigenous claims of having inhabited and shaped the Amazon for millennia.
Eduardo Neves argues that "there's no future for the forest without a future for the people who have been living there for the last millennia." The study supports the Indigenous people's plea for official stewardship of the forest, recognizing their role in the Amazon's ecological and cultural history.
The revelation of over 10,000 hidden pre-Columbian earthworks beneath the Amazon rainforest is a testament to the enduring power of technology to unveil the secrets of our past. Beyond the sheer number of structures lies a profound story of human interaction with the environment, shaping the Amazon into a "biocultural" landscape. This discovery not only highlights the importance of preserving the Amazon's rich heritage but also strengthens the Indigenous people's claim to the forest they have called home for countless generations. As lidar technology continues to advance, we can only anticipate more surprises waiting to be unearthed in the depths of the Amazon, further enriching our understanding of this enigmatic rainforest and its ancient inhabitants.
