SHRIMP U/Pb-zircon data and Nd mean crustal residence ages indicate that the Imataca Complex developed from an Archean (≥3.2 Ga) continental protolith which has undergone considerable isotopic disturbance plus and juvenile accretion during late-Archean (~ 2.8 Ga) times. Transamazonian granulites experienced peak metamorphic conditions of 750 -800 °C, 6 -8 kbar with associated transpressive thrusting and tectonic imbrication. Geochronology on zircon, pyroxene and garnet constrains the timing of peak metamorphism at 1.98 -2.05 Ga. Diffusion modeling of Fe-Mg exchange between biotite inclusions and host garnet yields (near metamorphic peak) cooling rates of 50 -100 °C/Ma, with petrological cooling rates being generally consistent with cooling rates determined from geochronology. Combining the retrograde P-T path with cooling rates suggests that after the metamorphic peak, large portions of the Imataca Complex were exhumed from 30 to 17 km at a rate of 7 -2 km/Ma. After this, exhumation rates progressively decreased as the rocks approached the surface. Rapid overall uplift/erosion had ceased when the rocks passed below 600 -550 °C at 2.01 -1.96 Ga ago. Observed variations in mineral cooling ages are interpreted as to reflect episodic differential tectonic exhumation within major fault systems. Inferred (maximum) ages of fault re-activation generally coincide with major continental accretion events in the Amazonian Craton and reflect long-term thermal evolution of the Imataca terrane, as conditioned by variable response to continued continental convergence during the Proterozoic. Imataca Complex (Venezuela) provide a time framework for protolith formation and high-grade metamorphism. Petrological investigation of Imataca Complex samples is used to define the main fea-
