Ethnographic collections and archaeology: An unexplored connection

Abstract

Throughout the history of archaeology, ethnographic observations and reports have been commonly used. However, the use of ethnographic collections to explore archaeological questions is only emerging in Brazil, despite the importance of these groups of objects in constructing long-term indigenous history through materiality. This article discusses the relations between ethnographic and archaeological objects, highlighting the potential of the former in developing problems related to the latter. An approach based on technology studies is used to analyze ethnographic collections of ceramics and basketry produced by Cariban-speaking peoples in the Guyanese Amazon. We conclude by discussing the contributions of this theoretical-methodological proposal to archaeology.