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Appendix
Discussions
Does Ambatovy contribute to safeguarding of the cultural heritage?
YES. This is done through securing sites and conservation remains. One of the most important site
development programs will be established with the local communities.
Does Ambatovy finance travel, training and assessment projects?.
YES. Archaeological assessment missions are part of the PGEDS monitoring. As for training,
archaeologists are trained at their respective universities. Ambatovy also has a training program that
corresponds to the various jobs required in the Project.
Can you provide more information about the Vazimba tombs?
YES. In our intervention areas, abandoned graves are considered as Vazimba tombs by the local
population. No human remains were found in these tombs. The word “vazimba” is used by the local
population to describe this type of location. This is a late designation.
How and where is the information stored and how can it be accessed?
The remains are stored at the CEREL and the Ambatovy offices in Toamasina. All the information will
be provided to the CEREL at the University of Toamasina and made available to the public.
Was a comparative study of the discovered objects conducted with the other regions’
excavation sites?
YES. It was found that none of the sites were comparable to those discovered in the central highlands.
Is the orientation of the tombs the same as the Imerina tombs?
YES. The doors are also facing west
Is there a link between the funeral archaeology and the Ambavalanomby and Behontsa
toponymy? Is this name given before or after the site establishment?
Sometimes there is a link between the site’s name and the toponymy. This is the case for Vohidrazana.
For the two funeral sites, the names used are not related to the site. The first refers to a cattle yard and
the second one hontsa means “lots of honey”.
Are the excavations intended only for the collecting of archaeological equipment, material and
furniture? Why don’t we know the people who are buried inside the tombs?
Unfortunately, unless precise documents about the buried people are available, archaeologists are
not able to give a name to the human remains in the grave. However the bones can provide all the
information on the characteristics of the exhumed body (age, sex, size, etc.)
Were rituals conducted with the neighbouring population before the relocation of the sites that
could not be avoided?
YES. Ambatovy has organized many “joro” in order to build relationships with the population.
Request for further information about the chlorite schist.
This is a soft stone which is also called steatite or soap stone. It can easily be used to make everyday
objects and hardens on contact with air. These artefacts manufactured in Madagascar were exported
to the countries neighbouring the Indian Ocean. The oldest are from the 8th century AD.
