Archaeologists working alongside a highway expansion in Brazil’s Amapá state have uncovered new evidence of advanced Indigenous societies that lived in the Amazon long before European colonization. The discoveries emerged from surveys linked to construction along the BR-156 corridor, where researchers excavated nine sites and recovered burial urns, ceramic fragments, and carved objects resembling human faces.
The pottery shows a range of styles and production techniques, suggesting cultural links that stretched from present-day Pará to regions as distant as the Caribbean. Experts say this diversity points to trade and communication networks that challenge older assumptions that early Amazonian communities lived in isolation.
Lúcio Flávio Costa Leite, head of the Archaeological Research Center at Amapá’s Institute for Scientific and Technological Research, described infrastructure projects as both a risk and an opportunity. Road construction can drive deforestation, but it also requires archaeological surveys that often lead to major discoveries. He noted that such findings can encourage stronger protection policies for affected areas.
Layers of history reveal cultural transition
Excavations have revealed a clear timeline of human occupation in the region. Archaeologist Manoel Fabiano da Silva Santos, working with Brazil’s National Department of Transport Infrastructure, said soil layers provide a detailed historical record. Near the surface, researchers found evidence of colonial presence, including Portuguese porcelain and iron nails. Deeper layers contained Indigenous ceramics, marking life before colonization.
Artifacts recovered from the sites will be added to Amapá’s state collection, which includes more than 530,000 items. Some pieces date back over 6,000 years. Researchers say the pottery reflects advanced knowledge of materials and the surrounding environment, highlighting a sophisticated form of technology.
One of the region’s most significant archaeological landmarks is located in Calçoene. A circular stone formation there has drawn comparisons to England’s Stonehenge. The structure consists of 127 upright stones arranged in a circle about 30 meters wide, standing in open grassland near the rainforest.
Monument and satellite data expand understanding
Research led by archaeologist Mariana Petry Cabral found that the stones were transported from surrounding areas, though their exact purpose remains unclear. Later studies confirmed the site served as a burial ground. Radiocarbon dating shows it was used for several centuries beginning around 1,100 years ago. Some stones appear aligned with the sunrise during the winter solstice.
Beyond ground excavations, satellite imaging is reshaping understanding of the Amazon’s past. A project led by University of São Paulo archaeologist Eduardo Neves has identified extensive road systems and settlement clusters hidden beneath the forest canopy. These networks, especially visible in southern Amazonas and Acre, suggest a high level of organization.
Researchers say Amapá is emerging as a key region for understanding how interconnected and dynamic ancient Amazonian societies were.