Amerindian settlements dating back 8,000 years and cemeteries associated with pictographic rock art were discovered in Guyana’s northern savannahs some miles away from Lethem in Region Nine.

Archaeologist Dr Mark Plew of Boise State University, Idaho, USA made this disclosure at the Walter Roth Museum yesterday during a presentation on research work which he conducted here in Guyana.

In April last year, Plew led a team of Iwokrama forest rangers and local community members into the Iwokrama Mountains. Researched areas included Toka, Aishalton and Lethem.

Cairn burial sites (stone piles over graves), lithe workshops, cemeteries associated with pictographic rock art, upland villages, varied settlements and indications of early settlements were among the discoveries Plew’s team made.

He noted that pictographic rock art is unique in cemetery finds. He also said that the early settlements were complex. The settlements date back some 8,000 years.

Open sites with historical materials, rock alignments, painted vessels, several open burial sites and cremated human remains were also among the discoveries.

According to Plew, he had embarked on the study to determine when the first peoples came to Guyana. He said the investigations were focused on the early peoples’ adaptation.He pointed out that conversations with locals in the hinterland aided in the find and that the research identified how Guyana’s indigenous peoples operated in the past. Plew said his research aimed at identifying a range of functional variability in archaeological sites within the Rupununi, assessing the nature of archaeological sites in the area, developing an archaeological chronology, developing a chronological pattern and providing recommendations to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and local museums.

He pointed out that developing an archaeological chronology was demanding, adding that the procedure had been difficult in the past. Plew said that there is a great sense of archaeological pattern on the numerous sites discovered.

He said his team will do additional research in the area.