Visualization and Movement as Configurations of Human–Nonhuman Engagements: Precolonial Geometric Earthwork Landscapes of the Upper Purus, Brazil

Abstract

Producing geometric designs and images on materials, such as pottery, basketry, and bead artwork, as well as the human body, is elemental and widespread among Amazonian Indigenous peoples. In this article, we examine the different geometric forms identified in the precolonial geoglyph architecture of southwestern Amazonia in the context of geometric design making and relational ontologies. Our aim is to explore earthwork iconography through the lens of Amerindian visual arts and movement. Combining ethnographic and archaeological data from the Upper Purus, Brazil, the article shows how ancient history and socio-cosmology are deeply "written" onto the landscape in the form of geometric earthworks carved out of the soil, which materialize interactions between nonhuman and human actors. We underline skills in visualization, imaginative practices, and movement as ways to promote well-balanced engagements with animated life forms. Here, iconography inserted in the landscape is both a form of writing and also emerges as an agent, affecting people through visual and corporal practices. [geometric designs, earthworks, visualization, movement, Amazonia] RESUMEN El producir diseños e imágenes geométricos en materiales tales como cerámica, cestería, obras de arte en collares, así como el cuerpo humano, es elemental y extendido entre indígenas del Amazonas. En este artículo, examinamos las diferentes formas geométricas identificadas en la arquitectura precolonial de los geoglifos del suroeste de la Amazonia en el contexto de la creación de los diseños geométricos y el tipo relacional de ser.Nuestra meta es explorar la iconografía de los trabajos en la tierra a través de los lentes de las artes visuales y el movimiento Amerindios. Combinando la información etnográfica y arqueológica del Purús Superior, Brasil, el artículo muestra cómo la historia antigua y la socio-cosmología están profundamente "escritas" en el paisaje en la forma de trabajos en la tierra geométricos labrados en el suelo, los cuales materializan las interacciones entre actores humanos y no humanos. Enfatizamos las destrezas en visualización, prácticas imaginativas, y movimiento como maneras de promover interacciones bien equilibradas con formas de vida animadas. Aquí, la iconografía insertada en el paisaje es a la vez una forma de escritura y también emerge como un agente, afectando a las personas a través de prácticas visuales y corporales. [diseños geométricos, obras de tierra, visualización, movimiento, Amazonia] RESUMO A produção de desenhos geométricos e imagens em materiais como cerâmica, cestaria, miç anga, assim como no corpo humanoé elementar e muito difundida entre os povos indígenas amazônicos. Este artigo aborda diferentes formas geométricas identificadas na arquitetura dos geoglifos pré-colonais do Sudoeste da Amazônia no contexto de produção de desenhos geométricos e das ontologias relacionais. O objetivoé examinar a iconografia de

Historical ecology, human niche construction and landscape in pre-Columbian Amazonia: A case study of the geoglyph builders of Acre, Brazil

“…Although there are inherent problems in projecting the Manchineri´s beliefs onto the geoglyph builders, suggesting a possible link between the geometric forms of palm and ancestor spirits and the geoglyphs is tempting (Schaan 2012;Virtanen, 2009, Virtanen andSaunaluoma 2017), particularly if one considers the new palaeoecological data from our study. That the JS and FC geoglyphs were seemingly built in the same locations where palm trees had been favoured through generations of landscape domestication and other human niche construction processes might not be a coincidence, and is supported by other circumstantial data that include: 1) a 30 cm-deep soil profile located in the geoglyph site of JK which revealed a complete dominance of palm phytoliths in all horizons (Watling et al 2017a, Supp.…”

“…In a recent study, Virtanen and Saunaluoma make a direct link between the geoglyphs and encounters between human and non-human entities, drawing upon ethnographic practices showing "how geometric designs are actors enabling and affecting the production of relations with specific nonhumans" (Virtanen and Saunaluoma 2017, p. 627). With the construction and use of the JS and FC earthworks, people´s movements and experiences of these locations would have profoundly altered (Schaan 2012;Virtanen and Saunaluoma 2017). In addition, the re-use and re-interpretation of these spaces over time would have both transformed and re-produced group and individual identities (e.g.…”

Geometry by Design: Contribution of Lidar to the Understanding of Settlement Patterns of the Mound Villages in SW Amazonia

“…The Mound Villages represent a new architectural tradition that emerged when the 'Geoglyph' formative ceremonial network was dissolved ~1 000 AD, a phenomenon that may be related to climate change during this time period (see de Souza et al 2019). They spread from the Tapajós headwaters to the eastern and southern sectors of Acre, spanning over 1000 km (Saunaluoma, Anttiroiko & Moat 2019;Saunaluoma, Pärssinen & Schaan 2018;Virtanen & Saunaluoma 2017). Mound Villages include two distinct types: Circular/Elliptical types locally called 'Sóis' (Suns) (e.g., Sol de Iquiri, Sol de Campinas), due to their shape as seen from the sky, and Rectangular types.…”

Aistikävely kaupunkimaisemaan

“…Nykyään tiedetään, että neitseellisinä pidetyt sademetsät eivät nekään ole koskemattomia; ihmisen monituhatvuotinen historia on nähtävissä myös ikivanhojen trooppisten metsien rakenteissa. (Tsing 2004;Virtanen & Saunaluoma 2017. ) 7 Henkilökohtainen tiedonanto kaupunkiviljelyaktivistilta Ljubljanassa lokakuussa 2017.…”