UE archaeological studies offer insight into early Amazon cave dwellers

Researchers from the University of Exeter have recently completed a comprehensive study shedding light on the early inhabitants of the Amazon Basin. Their investigation, part of the €2.5m European Research Council-funded LASTJOURNEY project, centered on rock shelters in northwest Colombia, which served as homes to some of the earliest migrants to South America approximately 13,000 years ago.

UE archaeological studies offer insight into early Amazon cave dwellersCredit: University of Exeter

These early settlers, facing the challenges of dense rainforest and acidic clay-based soils, established themselves in shallow cave dwellings, where they engaged in a variety of domestic and ritual activities. Mark Robinson, ᴀssociate Professor of Archaeology at the University of Exeter, said: “The ‘peopling’ of South America represents one of the great migrations of human history – but their arrival into the Amazon biome has been little understood.”

The excavation efforts, led by the UE team, have not only pushed back the estimated timeline of human occupation but have also provided novel information about the daily lives and historical trajectories of these ancient peoples.

The study focused on two rock shelters in the Serranía La Lindosa region, situated on the fringes of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Through meticulous analysis of soil sediments both within and outside the shelters, researchers were able to discern patterns of human activity spanning millennia. Traces of stone tools, charcoal, and organic matter revealed evidence of food preparation, consumption, and disposal, alongside periods of abandonment lasting over a millennium.

José Iriarte, Professor of Archaeology at Exeter, highlighted the attractiveness of the region to early forager groups, citing its abundant resources, including palm-dominated tropical forests, savannahs, and riverine areas. These shelters, strategically located to offer protection and visibility, served as hubs for various activities, from food procurement to artistic expression.

The presence of ceramics dating back approximately 3,000 years, along with evidence of soil cultivation from 2,500 years ago and traces of maize cultivation 500 years ago, underscores the long-term occupation and adaptation of these sites by successive generations. Ongoing research endeavors aim to further explore the rich array of artifacts recovered, including animal bones, plant remains, and ochre paintings.

Dr. Jo Osborn, Postdoctoral Research ᴀssociate, said: “All of the rock shelters exhibit ochre paintings from the earliest occupations,” she noted, suggesting that these pioneers were not only surviving but also actively documenting and interpreting their encounters with this new environment.

The findings of this study, published in Quaternary Science Reviews, offer a compelling narrative of human resilience and ingenuity in the face of challenging environmental conditions.

More information: Aceituno, F. J., Robinson, M., Morcote-Ríos, G., Aguirre, A. M., Osborn, J., & Iriarte, J. (2024). The peopling of Amazonia: Chrono-stratigraphic evidence from Serranía La Lindosa, Colombian Amazon. Quaternary Science Reviews, 327(108522), 108522. doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108522

Related Posts

Ancient rural settlement in Fordingbridge reveals Iron Age to Roman transition, daily life, and industry

Ancient rural settlement in Fordingbridge reveals Iron Age to Roman transition, daily life, and industry

Archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology have revealed the remains of a previously unknown rural settlement on the western edge of Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England. The excavation, ahead of a…

Medieval leather treasures unearthed in Oslo reveal shoes, bags, and daily life 700 years ago

Medieval leather treasures unearthed in Oslo reveal shoes, bags, and daily life 700 years ago

Archaeologists excavating Oslo’s historic neighborhood of Bjørvika have uncovered a trove of medieval leather artifacts—over 2,900 pieces, including hundreds of beautifully preserved shoes, bags, and knife sheaths….

Antikythera shipwreck reveals ancient shipbuilding secrets in 2025 excavation

Antikythera shipwreck reveals ancient shipbuilding secrets in 2025 excavation

The 2025 excavation season at the legendary Antikythera shipwreck unearthed significant new discoveries, giving a glimpse into ancient shipbuilding, trade, and life at sea in the Mediterranean….

Rural rituals and astral burials shaped ancient Egyptian religion and the myths of Isis and Osiris

Rural rituals and astral burials shaped ancient Egyptian religion and the myths of Isis and Osiris

In southern Egypt’s Nile Valley, a new study of the ancient Adaïma cemetery is reshaping the tale of Egyptian religion and state ideology’s origins. Against long-standing presumptions…

4,500-year-old dog tooth–adorned bags unearthed in Germany reveal burial practices of Neolithic elites

4,500-year-old dog tooth–adorned bags unearthed in Germany reveal burial practices of Neolithic elites

Archaeological excavations near the German village of Krauschwitz in the state of Saxony-Anhalt have uncovered a remarkable glimpse into ancient life: beautifully decorated bags, which were likely…

Mad emperor Caligula had surprising medical knowledge, new research reveals from ancient Roman texts

Mad emperor Caligula had surprising medical knowledge, new research reveals from ancient Roman texts

Emperor Caligula is best known for his cruelty and eccentricities—the Roman emperor who allegedly promoted his horse to consul and murdered on a whim. But a new…