Beads and Stamps in the Middle Orinoco

Archaeological Evidence for Interaction and Exchange in the Atures Rapids from AD 1000 to 1480

Bibliographic Data

ID4373557
AuthorsNatalia Lozada Mendieta (0000-0001-7775-5688), Philip Riris (0000-0003-4244-7495), John Rathbone Oliver (0000-0002-8270-1083), José R Oliver
Year2023
Volume34
Issue4
Pages742-763
Publication date2023-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLatin American Antiquity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1045-6635 • E-ISSN: 2325-5080
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/laq.2022.73
OpenAlexW4313435330
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited28

The area of the Atures Rapids in the Middle Orinoco River (Venezuela), where multiple Indigenous communities gathered to trade goods, has been identified as a prominent center of commerce since early colonial times. However, the exchange activities taking place there between local and nonlocal actors before European colonization are poorly understood, based only on the ethnohistoric record. This article presents an archaeometric analysis of stone beads and ceramic roller stamps, items previously associated with trade practices, from two recently excavated sites in the region, Picure (AD 1030-1480) and Rabo de Cochino (AD 1000-1440); it assesses their provenance, production, and value. We propose that Picure was a site of a bead-manufacturing workshop and a place where roller stamps were exchanged. The stamps were acquired and produced by different potting groups. Analysis of the chaîne opératoire and production techniques shows processes of adaptation and emulation associated with the multiple, multiethnic communities during the period from AD 1000 to 1480. Both beads and stamps are linked to identity regalia that were likely used as part of ceremonies taking place in the area of the Rapids, as indicated by the numerous and monumental petroglyphs found on the islands

Archaeology · Geography · Indigenous · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Latin American history and culture · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology · History

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