IWOKRAMA RAINFOREST - GUYANA

This particular rainforest is a special reserve of 371,000 hectares found in Guyana.  First established in 1989, very little was known about this area prior to that time.  However, with a substantial amount of archaeological data, is has been proven that occupations of Horticultural and Archaic existed.  In all, 29 sites have been recorded to date.  Although it appears the Paleo Indians did not occupy this area of Guyana, experts believe evidence to the contrary will show up some day due to what appears a strong presence.

Inside of the Iwokrama rainforest reserve, the Archaic Period from 3,500 to 7,000 years ago is seen by a pattern of heavy foraging and various associated sites.  For example, on the Essequibo, sites show sharpening grooves, a chipping station, petroglyphs, and more.  Other things associated to the Archaic Period include artificial stone depressions found at Pakutau Falls, Tapir Rock, Trinity Rock, and Electric Eel Rock.  One of the most important findings is the report of thousands of pieces of quartz debitage, along with choppers at Inscriptions Rock.

All of these findings indicate that the archaic people were able to process local products, as well as make their own stone tools.  Recently, secondary and tertiary stream courses were discovered.  Since the belief is that prehistoric archaic settlements existed or occurred exclusive along the primary rivers, this is a significant find.  Then the Horticultural Period, which started around 3,500 BP and the Historic Period were also documented in the Iwokrama rainforest reserve.

On the Essequibo River, a number of excavations documented several ceramic bowls and globular forms to include carinated vessels.  Most of the ceramic pieces found were from horticultural occupation, which was determined by the lack of decoration.  In fact, the number of decorated dishes found was rare.  Of those they did find, red on white paintings were seen, along with punctuation, brushing, incisions, stamping, fingernail cuts, and modeling.

On occasion, some of the dishes found from this period had some evidence of red slips.  However, the majority were like, the ones found at Rupununi, Taruma, and Koriabo.  Then another excavation at Errol’s Landing found evidence of human presence, dating the site back to 3,000 BP.  Because of this, it is believed this site to be one of the earliest of the Polychrome Horizon Style that was ever recorded in Guyana.  Investigations within the reserve have proven a lot about the history and the people, with more work still being done.