Archaeological remnants of indigenous peoples, hidden for at least 12,000 years beneath the dense Amazonian vegetation, are gradually being revealed through indigenous and quilombola knowledge, archaeological efforts, and light detection and ranging (Lidar) technology. This remote sensing technology is deployed on small aircraft that fly over the forest, emitting lasers to map ancient sites.
The researchers involved in the project "Amazônia Revelada: Mapeando Legados Culturais" aim to add a new layer of protection for the Amazon and help curb deforestation. Local researchers from traditional communities collaborate to identify material elements or inscriptions in the landscape that indicate archaeological sites or places significant to the communities.
Led by archaeologist Eduardo Neves, a professor and director of the Museum of Archaeology at the University of São Paulo (USP), the project seeks to reverse the colonial narrative that has historically overlooked the contributions of indigenous peoples. Neves stated, "When I went to school in the 70s, I learned that the oldest city in Brazil was São Vicente, founded by the Portuguese Martim Afonso de Souza in 1532. However, those who travel through the interior of the Amazon, particularly around Santarém, will notice a very dark soil known as terra preta, filled with fragments of ceramics produced by peoples who lived there at least 800 years ago."
Neves emphasized that indigenous presence in the Amazon dates back at least 13,000 years, and the region’s biodiversity is a result of the contributions from indigenous, quilombola, and riverine communities. He criticized the colonial rhetoric that portrayed the Amazon as "a land without people for people without land," which facilitated deforestation and uncontrolled occupation.
Neves aims to document and protect archaeological sites while learning from the current cultural expressions of forest peoples. He stated, "When we talk about archaeology, it’s not just about the past. We also consider the current manifestations of the cultures of forest peoples, which teach us how they constructed their environment."
According to the 2010 Demographic Census, Brazil has at least 274 indigenous languages spoken by 305 ethnic groups, many of which are at risk of extinction. Linguist Altaci Kokama advocates for the preservation of these cultural systems, asserting that indigenous languages hold essential knowledge for environmental preservation.
Kokama, a member of the Kokama ethnicity, began her advocacy in the 1980s and has since earned a Master's degree in Society and Culture in the Amazon and a Ph.D. in Linguistics. She currently works at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples and emphasizes the need for societal and governmental support to preserve indigenous languages and knowledge.
Anthropologist Davi Pereira highlights the contributions of black populations in the Amazon, stating, "75% of the population in the Amazon Legal is composed of black individuals, yet the narrative often neglects their role in forest protection." Pereira advocates for the recognition of both indigenous and quilombola contributions to the Amazon's biodiversity.
The report is part of the series "In Defense of the Amazon," which coincides with the 30th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP30) scheduled for November 2025 in Belém. The articles discuss the impacts of climate change and responses from Amazonian peoples engaged in forest defense.