Amazonian Legacies

This new book on the archaeology of the world’s largest rainforest region introduces readers to the most recent research: sensational discoveries and revolutionary insights from the past twenty years paint a picture of an exceptionally rich and diverse cultural landscape whose origins extend back to the twelfth millennium BCE. With its lush rainforest and mysterious rivers, Amazonia is widely regarded as the epitome of untouched nature. Yet deep within the green undergrowth lie traces of past civilisations. This publication opens up a new perspective on the cultural history of Amazonia, presenting spectacular archaeological finds and recounting the story of highly developed cultures that flourished long before the colonial era. It vividly demonstrates how body painting, jewellery and rock art open windows onto spiritual worlds, and how past and present are strikingly intertwined.