5
Summary
Archaeological works carried out during Ambatovy’s construction phase led to the identification of more than 100 sites, which date
back to the period between the 12th and 20th century AD, representing nearly 800 years of Madagascar’s history.
This publication represents an outstanding contribution to Madagascar’s heritage, a country whose history is only known to have
begun about 4,000 years ago.
Ambatovy’s archaeological team collected around 5,000 different artifacts, including sherds of local pottery; glass; iron; chlorite
schist ware; and ceramics from Europe and Asia. In addition to the archaeological sites, many cultural sites and monuments were
also identified: burial places; standing stones; sacred clan’s poles; as well as sacred or forbidden sites.
The results of this work are currently being documented and stored at the Centre for Ethnological and Linguistic Studies and
Research (CEREL), at the University of Toamasina, prior to being made available to anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge of the
history of the eastern part of Madagascar.
Ambatovy’s contribution is undoubtedly valuable. It has led to the discovery of new archaeological sites, as well as the consolidation
of knowledge, conveyed in archives, through physical evidence.
