The Role of Archaeological and Ethno-Historical Sources in the Study of Prehistoric Amazonia

Abstract

The growing popularity of archaeology and the amassment of new archaeological researches compelled archaeologist to make an interpretations based on different domains of humanistic sciences. This interdisciplinary studies allow to look at the problem of reconstructing the past from a different perspectives. Since most significant issues had multiple causes, interdisciplinary studies provide a more comprehensive understanding of issues. The cooperation of different domains of sciences (archaeology, ethnology and cultural anthropology) is essential for studying the past. It is particularly important for the Brazilian Amazon where the great part of cultural processes could not be seen in an archaeological context.