44
IHZPU
MVYLZ[
WPLKTVU[
IHZPU
MVYLZ[
WPLKTVU[
Characteristics of Each Phase
• The Sandrakatsy and Mahilaka Phases (from the 9th to the 16th century)
These phases, for the most part, represent the pre-European sites
of our region. Sites from this period are generally small – less
than half a hectare – however they gradually evolved and some
became important sites.
The majority of the artifacts excavated are local pottery
(graphitized or mica), and fragments of chlorite schist. This type
of material is common to all Malagasy archaeological sites of
this period, but the east coast seems to have preserved the best
chlorite schist crockery. The Antamponilongovato-Angazety site was reoccupied in the 18th century. More than 500 fragments and
remains were discovered at Ampasamaro, on the left bank of the Mangoro River, however only two of them are graphitized.
This site is part of a series of ancient villages along the Mangoro River, established by the Bezanozano ancestors who claimed to be
of
Vazimba
origin, therefore very old.
Often, settlements moved when those who lived there felt like they had become victims of a curse, for example, in times of
rampant disease or successive poor harvests. At this time, the opinion of the
Ombiasy
(diviner), traditional healers, and that of the
Tangalamena
(traditional authorities) was decisive.
• Sites of the Ambitsika Phase (17th-18th Century)
The number of sites increased significantly during this period as evidenced by the presence of
traditional local pottery and fragments of ceramics imported from Europe, manufactured in
France, the Netherlands (see Ambodibonara site) or China (a few pieces of Celadon and
some blue and white ceramics). At the Ambodibonara site, a perfume flask was found.
Compared to the artifacts found in the above mentioned period,
at this time the graphited local pottery was of a poorer quality
according to the national reference criteria and chlorite schist was
still present in the area.
