Archaeology in the Iwokrama Rainforest, Guyana

The Iwokrama rainforest is a reserve of 371,000 hectares located in central Guyana (see Figure 1). Following its establishment in 1989, Williams (1996) conducted intuitive exploratory surveys of this little-known region and established a preliminary chronology of the reserve sites. These findings are complimented by recent investigations in the Iwokrama Mountains and along the Essequibo River (Plew 2002a, 2002b). Presently, archaeological data indicate significant Archaic and Horticultural occupations. A total of twenty-nine sites have been recorded. While no evidence of Paleo-Indians has been identified, it appears likely that evidence may come to light in the future, given what appears as a presence in Guyana and the Amazonian basin. It seems likely that Paleo-Indians utilizing the northern Rupununi would have intruded into the Iwokrama forest.