Papers by Martti Parssinen
Acta Amazonica, 2024
Geometric earthworks are evidence of ancient human activity in western Brazilian Amazonia. We use... more Geometric earthworks are evidence of ancient human activity in western Brazilian Amazonia. We used a review of existing and new data to map earthworks across 27,569 km 2 of deforested areas in southwestern Amazonia using satellite imagery. We developed a conceptual basis for the classification of earthworks based on their structural characteristics using fuzzy sets. We recorded 1,279 structures with a distinctive core density zone. Most of the structures displayed geometric shapes, but they varied in construction accuracy. Geoglyphs accounted for 80% of all objects, with geographically variable shapes and enclosure areas. Other earthwork types included associated embankments, solitary embankments and mound sites. The abundance of earthworks provided evidence of strong pre-European human influence on the study area. A 10-km buffer around each earthwork included 75% of recent deforestation areas and 25.7% of standing forest, suggesting a significant potential for the presence of further earthworks in this ancient anthropogenic landscape and its possible far-reaching ecological legacy. The available radiocarbon data confirm a long-term anthropogenic impact in the study area, with ceremonial geoglyphs indicating activities over a thousand years old and other structures revealing more recent cultural transformations.
Estudios Latinoamericanos 43 (2023), 2024
The extent to which the Inca empire was built on knowledge, experiences, and ideology inherited f... more The extent to which the Inca empire was built on knowledge, experiences, and ideology inherited from one or both of its Middle Horizon predecessors-the Tiwanaku and the Wari states-is a long-debated topic in Andean studies. In this article, we review the relevant discussions regarding ceramics, architectural styles, iconographical patterns, radiocarbon dating, and historical sources. We then proceed to discuss the new insights, especially into the Tiwanaku-Inca continuity issue, that our own archaeological research in the Lake Titicaca area off ers. On the one hand, even though the Tiwanaku state probably collapsed around AD 1000, its legacy continued in ceramic iconography until the 13th century AD in the Lake Titicaca area, in northern Chile, and in southern Peru, probably indicating some ideological continuity as well. On the other hand, even though the traditional chronology of the Inca expansion, established by John H. Rowe, argues for a very late expansion into the southern part of the empire (that is, for expansion aft er AD 1471), mounting radiocarbon (and thermoluminescence) evidence fi rmly indicates that Inca-style ceramics and architecture were already present in the Lake Titicaca area in the 14th century AD. Even though many kinds of changes undoubtedly occurred, especially ca. AD 1250-1350, iconographical and ideological continuity, as well as a trajectory of similar architectural developments, can be established from the Tiwanaku to the Inca in the Lake Titicaca area (and probably also in southern Peru, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina). Th us, our results challenge the dominant Cuzco-centered view of the early political and ideological development of the Inca empire.
Alceu Ranzi & Martti Pärssinen: Amazônia: Os Geoglifos e a Civilização Aquiry, Oct 20, 2021
Acre Visto e Revisto (2021), além de ter colaborado com diversos artigos científicos sobre paleon... more Acre Visto e Revisto (2021), além de ter colaborado com diversos artigos científicos sobre paleontologia e arqueologia da Amazônia Ocidental.
Iskos 27, 2023
South American archaeology became one of the focus areas of the Department of Archaeology of the ... more South American archaeology became one of the focus areas of the Department of Archaeology of the University of Helsinki in the 1980s. Martti Pärssinen, then of the University of Turku, first contacted professor Ari Siiriäinen during that time, and these two developed a close partnership that resulted in four major archaeological-historical research projects in the Bolivian Andes and one in the Bolivian Amazon. Several students of archaeology took part in these projects, some of them (Antti Korpisaari, Sanna Saunaluoma, and Risto Kesseli) gradually developing into specialists in South American archaeology. From 1999, when Pärssinen became the first professor of Latin American Studies at the University of Helsinki, until the retirement of Siiriäinen in 2003 (and his premature death in 2004), South American archaeology was arguably at its strongest at the University of Helsinki. Since those years, the institutional home of this research in Helsinki has shifted to Latin American Studies, under the auspices of which archaeological research in Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile has continued to prosper. Considering the small number of researchers and the relatively meagre funding, Finnish archaeological research in South America has produced remarkable results. Two of its most important achievements are the discovery of the ceremonial ceramic destruction deposits of Pariti Island, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia, which contained some of the finest pre-Columbian pottery ever found in the Andean highlands, and the scientific discovery and long-term, multidisciplinary study of the ancient geoglyph-building society of western Amazonia in the state of Acre, Brazil.
Celebrating 100 Years of Archaeology at the University of Helsinki: Past, Present, and Future (Iskos 27), edited by Liisa Kunnas, Marko Marila, Volker Heyd, Elisabeth Holmqvist, Kristin Ilves, Antti Lahelma, and Mika Lavento, pp. 120–138. The Finnish Antiquarian Society, Helsinki., 2023
South American archaeology became one of the focus areas of the Department of Archaeology of the ... more South American archaeology became one of the focus areas of the Department of Archaeology of the University of Helsinki in the 1980s. Martti Pärssinen, then of the University of Turku, first contacted professor Ari Siiriäinen during that time, and these two developed a close partnership that resulted in four major archaeological-historical research projects in the Bolivian Andes and one in the Bolivian Amazon. Several students of archaeology took part in these projects, some of them (Antti Korpisaari, Sanna Saunaluoma, and Risto Kesseli) gradually developing into specialists in South American archaeology. From 1999, when Pärssinen became the first professor of Latin American Studies at the University of Helsinki, until the retirement of Siiriäinen in 2003 (and his premature death in 2004), South American archaeology was arguably at its strongest at the University of Helsinki. Since those years, the institutional home of this research in Helsinki has shifted to Latin American Studies, under the auspices of which archaeological research in Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile has continued to prosper. Considering the small number of researchers and the relatively meagre funding, Finnish archaeological research in South America has produced remarkable results. Two of its most important achievements are the discovery of the ceremonial ceramic destruction deposits of Pariti Island, Lake Titicaca, Bolivia, which contained some of the finest pre-Columbian pottery ever found in the Andean highlands, and the scientific discovery and long-term, multidisciplinary study of the ancient geoglyph-building society of western Amazonia in the state of Acre, Brazil.
Environmental Archaeology, 2020
Archéologia, N° 363, 2000
C'est sous le règne des souverains Incas, Pachacutec et Túpaq Yupanqui, qu'au milieu du 16e siècl... more C'est sous le règne des souverains Incas, Pachacutec et Túpaq Yupanqui, qu'au milieu du 16e siècle, une partie de l'actuelle Bolivie fut conquise par les Incas. De récentes recherches ont mis en avant le profond mélange qui s'est alors effectué entre les cultures locales et celle de l'Empire du Soleil.
Amazonia. Os Geoglifos e a Civilizacao Aquiry, 2021
Saberes y memorias en los Andes
L'A. montre qu'il est tres difficile d'etablir une correlation directe entre les donn... more L'A. montre qu'il est tres difficile d'etablir une correlation directe entre les donnees archeologiques (culture materielle) et historiques (evenements et principes structuraux des organisations economique, sociale, politique ou religieuse) dans les Andes. La prospection archeologique des sites de Cajamarca (Perou), Pacasa et Yampara (Bolivie) montre qu'il n'existe pas de regles strictes permettant de mettre en relation les limites politiques des seigneuries prehispaniques avec les styles de ceramiques locaux, notamment dans les regions peripheriques a la difference des centres territoriaux. Les divers groupes ethniques (autochtones ou colons) pouvaient partager le meme style de ceramique alors qu'ils conservaient leur propre style architectural et funeraire. L'A. montre que les sources historiques offrent des informations precieuses sur les principaux sites de prospection archeologique (malgre de nombreuses lacunes) et qu'elles permettent de comparer la distribution geographique des styles de ceramique.
Antiquity, 2020
Hypotheses concerning climatic change during the Amazonian Holocene often assume that the presenc... more Hypotheses concerning climatic change during the Amazonian Holocene often assume that the presence of ancient charcoal from forest fires indicates periods of drier climate in the past. These theories, however, neglect the possibility that such charcoal may result from early human activity. This article presents new evidence of anthropogenic ash and charcoal accumulation in the state of Acre, Brazil, dating back to c. 10 000 cal BP, which questions the value of charcoal as a proxy for phases of natural climate aridification. Carbon isotope (δ13C) values also suggest no significant changes in Holocene climate or vegetation. If these results are confirmed, previous studies on Amazonian Holocene climate will require re-evaluation.
In the current studies of world prehistory, the appearance of roads and roads systems is associat... more In the current studies of world prehistory, the appearance of roads and roads systems is associated with the formation of chiefdoms, states and early empires. In some cases it has been a question of hierarchical or heterarchical confederations of chiefdoms or states sharing a common religious or/and political ideology. The connection between complex societies and roads is not universal, but it is at least very general. Paths and tracks may have been enough for general movements of people, goods, ideas and messages, especially in societies without draft animals. Nevertheless, a high population density and a sedentary life have often led to the differentiation of social organization and to competition for power and prestige. Monumental earthworks and architecture are symbols of power when building cultural landscapes. In South America, the ancient Inca road system is well known for its enormous capacity to move armies, people, goods and messages in the 15th and 16th centuries. Nevertheless, less known are ancient roads and causeways in Amazonian regions, even though some of them were documented as early as the 16th and 17th centuries. Starting from archaeological research conducted by Erland Nordenskiöld in the Bolivian Mojos in the 1910s, a new generation of archaeologists has paid more attention to the topic since then. Currently in the Bolivian Mojos, Baures, the Brazilian Xingú territory, and the Venezuelan Llanos ancient causeways and roads are dated, starting mainly from the second half of the first millennium. Also in the Upper Purús, ca. 25% of geoglyph-type earthwork sites include roads. In this article we present the results of our excavations realized in the geoglyph sites of Tequinho, Fazenda Colorada, Jacó Sá and Severino Calazans in the Brazilian State of Acre and in the site of Cruzeirinho in the Brazilian State of Amazonas. So far, more than 500 geoglyphs have been registered. Our current radiocarbon dates demonstrate that in the Tequinho site the first roads were constructed at the turn of Current Era, 63 calBC (95.4%) 124 calAD. In the Fazenda Atlântica site, the first roads may even be somewhat older: the site is dated 200 calBC 200 (95.4%) 327 calAD. The roads were up to 100 meters wide entering these sacred structures. At the moment, we have not detected many settlements or many cemeteries near geoglyph sites; instead, our archaeological evidence indicates ceremonial use of these sites and heavy feasting. Thus, these first roads were undoubtedly built for religious purposes in order to control ceremonial movements of people and goods among the chiefdoms that shared a common ideology. It seems that the generalized construction of geoglyph ended ca. 900 calAD, but even later on new mound settlements were constructed on the same sites, while some sites maintained their purely ceremonial status. The system of roads was collectively maintained until the end of the 19th century, when Colonel Labre walked along these “good roads” from the Orthon River to the Acre River in 1889. He also observed temples with geometrical idols of gods. According to him: “although they have ‘medicine-men’ charged with religious duties and remaining celibates, the chief is nevertheless pontifex of the church.” This may indicate a very long tradition in which the power structure of the political, religious and road systems was maintained among this poorly-known ancient civilization, probably formed of small chiefdoms that were confederated and competed in ceremonial feastings.
Amazônica - Revista de Antropologia, 2021
In Amazonian archaeological discussion the concept of tradition presupposes a keen connection bet... more In Amazonian archaeological discussion the concept of tradition presupposes a keen connection between pottery styles and specific language groups. Multicultural traditions or transcultural adaptions are often pushed aside. Denise Schaan returned to the concept of horizon in order to explain a number of archaeological phenomena from a wide geographical and chronological perspective. Also in this study the concept of Polychrome Horizon is used, but it is divided between Early and Late Polychrome Horizons. At the same time an entirely new area, eastern Acre, and its archaeological sub-tradition Tequinho, dated 50BC-AD200 with its polychrome pottery, are brought into the discussion. Tequinho is situated in the interfluvial terra firme environment, and by its geographic position mediated contacts between the headwaters of the Amazon, the Ucayali and the Madeira rivers.
Journal of Field Archaeology, 2018
Amazonian earthworks, which are an important testimony to ancient anthropogenic landscape modific... more Amazonian earthworks, which are an important testimony to ancient anthropogenic landscape modifications, have a significant variety of structures and sizes, and are found in different geographical and ecological locations that indicate separate time periods, distinct cultural affiliations, and diverse purposes. We introduce data from diverse archaeological earthwork sites, geoglyphs, mound sites, and walled enclosures, situated in the interfluves of the Purus River in the Brazilian state of Acre and propose a type definition for these sites. The profuse anthropogenic landscape features and their associated material culture indicate considerable human-induced environmental alterations and diverse earthworking traditions that are characteristic of the region of eastern Acre from at least ca. 2000 B.P. onwards.
Revista de Arqueologia, 2007
Diferenças ecológicas entre os ambientes de várzea e terra firme (terra para agricultura, acesso ... more Diferenças ecológicas entre os ambientes de várzea e terra firme (terra para agricultura, acesso aos recursos ribeirinhos e navegação) têm apoiado interpretações dos povos de terra firme como horticultores de coivara semi-sedentários, que nunca desenvolveram complexas instituições sociais ou cultura materialelaborada. Esse artigo desafia essa posição, ao reportar a existência de centenas de estruturas de terra perfeitamente geométricas erigidas por populações pré-colombianas nos solos argilosos da Amazônia ocidental, no Estado do Acre e adjacências. Os geoglifos, como estão sendo chamados, indicam uma população expressiva, organizada regionalmente, vivendo por centenas de anos em um habitat que foi uma vez considerado como inadequado para sustentar complexidade social. Levantando algumas hipóteses sobre os construtores de geoglifos, os autores argumentam por uma revisão do modelo ecológico à luz das novas evidências.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2015
The history of human–environment interactions and the role of agriculture among pre-Columbian pop... more The history of human–environment interactions and the role of agriculture among pre-Columbian populations of Amazonia has been a long-standing topic of debate, usually backed by scattered data. Although most archaeologists agree that Amazonia was inhabited by demographically dense and socio-politically complex societies during the millennium that preceded the European conquest, the vast forests of the terra firme (uplands) interfluves have only recently been studied for human impacts. In this article, we present the results of phytolith analyses from samples recovered from archaeological sites situated in the interfluves of Southwestern Amazonia, and discuss their implications for subsistence systems among terra firme populations in areas devoid of anthropogenic dark earths (ADEs). We conclude that a subsistence strategy based on a mixture of domesticated and wild plants was widespread in the region, and that maize, squash, and palms were particularly important resources.
Antiquity, 2009
It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good. The combination of land cleared of its rainfores... more It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good. The combination of land cleared of its rainforest for grazing and satellite survey have revealed a sophisticated pre-Columbian monument-building society in the upper Amazon Basin on the east side of the Andes. This hitherto unknown people constructed earthworks of precise geometric plan connected by straight orthogonal roads. Introducing us to this new civilisation, the authors show that the ‘geoglyph culture’ stretches over a region more than 250km across, and exploits both the floodplains and the uplands. They also suggest that we have so far seen no more than a tenth of it.
Journal of Field Archaeology, 2012
Abstract In this paper we present new data on the precolumbian geometric ditched enclosures ident... more Abstract In this paper we present new data on the precolumbian geometric ditched enclosures identified in Acre State, western Amazonia, Brazil. Remote sensing and ground survey have revealed 281 earthworks, located mainly on the edges of high plateaus overlooking the river valleys drained by the southeastern tributaries of the Upper Purus River. Excavations have shown that the few existing cultural materials are concentrated on the slopes and in the bottoms of the ditches, as well as on small mounds that were likely remains of houses, whereas the central, flat enclosed areas lack major archaeological features. New radiocarbon dates place the initial stage of earthwork construction as early as ca. 2000 b.p. We suggest that the building of these geometric earthworks may have been a regionally shared phenomenon, especially among the Arawak and the Tacana peoples, who used them for special gatherings, religious activities, and, in some cases, as village sites.
Chungara, 2010
Early historical sources mention Paria as one of the most important provincial settlements in the... more Early historical sources mention Paria as one of the most important provincial settlements in the Inka State. Being such an important settlement, the first Spanish village in southern part of former Tawantinsuyu, was decided to establish in Paria. The foundation was ordered by Diego Almagro in 1535. Nevertheless, it has been somewhat of mystery for archaeologists how faraway the Spaniards moved the new foundation from the original Paria, so admired by the Inkas, because no Inka artifacts have been found in the Colonial foundation. In many occasions John V. Murra also wondered about the location of the original Paria. In 1960 Hermann Trimborn had identified old Paria, Paria la Vieja, as a place situated some distance towards the north of the present Paria. Nevertheless, John Hyslop put forward the idea that Paria was the same as Anocariri, situated to the west-northwest of the present Paria. Some Inka researchers accepted Hyslop’s identification, but also doubts have been presented. Quite recently the team of Carola Condarco Castellon returned to Trimborn’s idea and inspected the area belonging to the village of Pulupampa, situated to northwest of Obrajes and actually found there a settlement with Inka ceramics. This is why they reported that “Paria la India” or “Paria la Vieja” was found. Nevertheless, they did not inform either marks of huge administrative compounds or any concentration of silos. In 2004 we decided to visit Paria in order to make an independent identification of the exact site of the Inka southern capital using archival sources and our archaeological experiences in these kinds of multidisciplinary enterprises. As a result, we may conclude that the earlier identification of Paria la Vieja, as proposed by Trimborn and the team of Carola Condarco, is correct. Comparing to the archaeological evidence of Anocariri site, proposed to be Paria la Vieja by John Hyslop, our site is three times bigger (35 ha vs 100 ha). Furthermore, the ceramic assemblage of our site in Pulupampa is predominantly composed of the Inka and the Regional Inka varieties unlike Anocariri, and finally, new evidence published in this report demonstrates that our site is the only one that has a huge concentration of storehouses. We were able to identify quite exactly 1,000 silos and various foundations of huge administrative buildings.
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Papers by Martti Parssinen