Mariano Bonomo

MARIANO BONOMO, Museo de la Plata, La Plata, Argentina, was approved funding in April 2023 to aid research on “In the heart of cultural and biological diversity of South America: Archaeology in the Pantanal wetlands (Upper Paraguay River, Brazil).” This project investigated Indigenous mound-building societies in the Upper Paraguay River, focusing on the Taiamã Ecological Reserve and surrounding areas of the Pantanal in Brazil. Eighteen archaeological sites were documented, consisting mainly of circular and elliptical earthen mounds that provided stable ground for settlement in a flood-prone landscape. Excavations at four key sites revealed radiocarbon evidence spanning more than three millennia. Findings include domestic hearths, stone and bone tools, ornaments, human burials, and thousands of ceramic sherds, from which more than 120 vessels were reconstructed. Analyses of charcoal, phytoliths, starch, and sediment samples highlighted the use of diverse plant resources, including palms and wild rice, alongside a rich faunal assemblage of fish, mollusks, caiman, capybara, monkeys, deer, and jaguar. The results demonstrate that mounds were multifunctional accumulative structures, serving residential, funerary, and environmental purposes. Their construction reshaped landscapes, concentrated useful flora, and fostered habitats for animals. The project also integrated archaeological findings with historical and contemporary Indigenous knowledge, showing strong continuities in mound-building practices among the Guató people. Overall, the research highlights the resilience and long-term presence of Indigenous communities in the Pantanal and their active role in shaping both biodiversity and cultural landscapes during the Late Holocene.