7
Presentations
Discovered archaeological artifacts sites and handling
Erick Randrianasolo, Master’s in History, Supervisor – Ambatovy
“Fieldwork was documented in activity reports, monitoring sheets and excavation registers. These
documents and all discovered archaeological objects were recorded, handled and analyzed.
The documentation provided crucial information about the sites. Generally, these sites are located
downslope and rarely on the top of hills.
Based on oral traditions, the local population provided additional valuable information about the most
recent sites. They also expressed the connections between the latter and the site, thereby allowing us to
assess if the latter is important in the eyes of the relevant community or not.
Archaeological sites have become sacred places to be respected by the local population. Sometimes they
are transformed into burial locations, as was the case of Ampasamaro (literature: many tombs). Rich in
pottery artifacts, this archaeological site was a local pottery workshop according to traditional stories. Sites
with surface structures are rare and only found in buildings built during the colonial era.
Laboratory work mostly focused on a series of classic operations: cleaning, marking and labeling,
cataloging, and sorting by type. Movable archaeological potteries have been classified as local and
imported ceramics. It is important to note that this local pottery is rich in decorative patterns. Indeed, we
have potteries that are decorated with incisions, imprints or both.
Artifacts made of chloritoschist are also important highlights of discovered objects. These are bottom of
a container, bottom of a pot, or part of their lining. While some are still intact, others have been reused as
net spring balance or ornaments. Raw chloritoschists were also found. This could indicate the existence of a
quarry in the surrounding.
Imported ceramics are made of glazed ceramics from the Far East, Chinese blue and white porcelain,
“sgraffiato” from the Middle East and European ceramics particularly dated from the 17th to the 19th
century. The rest of discovered items are metal and glass objects.
Following the recommendation of the national experts who conducted the assessment of Ambatovy’s
archaeological work, we submitted some pottery samples without decorations to see what components it
had, i.e. silica, alumina, titanium, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium and sodium.
Such analysis was first conducted on artifacts from the sites located in the Mangoro Region, particularly on
samples taken from the different layers of the Ampasamaro site.
The chronology of site occupancy available at this time is not yet final. However, through analogy with the
known typology of cultural phases, we have covered the period from the 13th to the 19th century. A series
of complete dating will be conducted to supplement this series of chronological data.
In conclusion, the Ambatovy intervention areas are located in a region rich in cultural heritage. Data
processing will be continued to allow for the refining of their interpretation.”
