New archaeological site discovered in Rupununi
Guyana Chronicle
October 19, 2003

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ARCHAEOLOGIST Dr. Mark Plew, who has been frequenting Guyana's shores for the past 20 years conducting researches in the Rupununi area, yesterday disclosed that five new archaeological sites were discovered.

The discoveries were made through a project, which commenced in April last year.

Dr. Plew of Idaho, U.S.A informed historical enthusiasts during a lecture at the Walter Roth Museum in Main Street yesterday morning, that he estimated that some of the findings dated back some 300 to 400 years ago.

According to Dr. Plew, the objectives of the research were to develop an archaeologist pattern, identify a range of functional variation in archaeological sites in the Rupununi, access the nature of these sites and make recommendations to the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports.

Some of the new sites that were discovered were Cairn Burial sites where there were cremated human remains and Lithic sites (sites made out of stone, which indicated that prehistoric Amerindians made a variety of tools there).

He told the gathering that pictographs (painted designs) or rock arts were found in settings above present water level. Other sites with historical material were also discovered.

He further pointed out that early settlements and upland (village) division as well as painted vessels and ceramics were also part of the discovery. The research was done in the Lethem and Central Rupununi areas.

Dr. Plew, who leaves Guyana today, will return in March 2004 to continue the research.

Plew is from the Boise State University. He came to Guyana on his own, but the research was organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

In April 2002, with the aim of making archaeological studies a priority, Dr. Plew led a team of Iwokrama Forest Rangers and local community members into the Iwokrama Mountains.