In this meeting, enthusiasm was shown for cross-pollinating perspectives between archaeology, history and anthropology in the challenge of measuring the demographic impacts of modern colonialism in the Amazon. The meeting was based on the article “Estimating Amazonian Indian Numbers in 1492“, by William M. Denevan (2014), and researchers Laura Furquim and Rafael Almeida presented various models of archaeological demography, developed since the 1950s, which estimate the indigenous population of the Amazon before the arrival of Europeans. These estimates vary widely, from 6 to 50 million people, depending on the theoretical assumptions adopted. The 1500 cutoff is common among the approaches, reflecting a perception of major population transformation after colonization.

Estimates of the indigenous population before the arrival of Europeans are crucial for assessing the impact of colonization, but this task is challenging due to the fragmentary nature of the data. The central objective of this meeting was to explore how archaeological and historical perspectives can be brought together in dialogue to deepen reflection on the subject. Historical ecology has contributed indirect data on the impact of population on past vegetation, suggesting that the Amazon could have sustained a dense population without devastation, and that post-1500 reforestation may indicate a sharp demographic decline.

The group recognized the importance of theoretical premises in defining the results and the need for methodologies adapted to the available data. To broaden this reflection, the focus will be empirical, mapping archaeological, historical and anthropological evidence. Working with different spatial and temporal scales will allow for a more robust analysis of the practices and processes of territorial occupation, even if numerical precision remains out of reach, limited to orders of magnitude.