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Among Land Snail Shells and Ashes: Geoarchaeological Analysis of the Maximiano Rockshelter, Southeast Brazil

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Author(s):
Batalla, Nicolas ; Okumura, Mercedes ; Munita, Casimiro S. ; French, Charles ; Araujo, Astolfo G. M.
Total Authors: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: GEOARCHAEOLOGY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL; v. 40, n. 1, p. 35-pg., 2025-01-01.
Abstract

Geoarchaeological studies, particularly those incorporating micromorphology and associated techniques, have revealed the complex depositional and post-depositional history of mollusk shell-matrix archaeological sites, mostly in coastal areas where these sites are more widespread. But geoarchaeology can also be crucial to disentangle human and natural agencies in inland shell-rich settings, including caves and rock-shelters. In this paper, the site formation processes of the land snail-rich Maximiano Rockshelter, located in the karstic upper Ribeira de Iguape River valley of southern Sao Paulo state, Southeast of Brazil, are tackled. Embedded in the neotropical Atlantic Forest, the site contains lithics, bone artifacts, and faunal and human remains dating between similar to 11,165 and 1282 cal year B.P. Facies and microfacies were characterized in exposed stratigraphic profiles through micromorphology, particle size analysis, major, minor, and trace elements, and FTIR spectroscopy. Despite the strong humification affecting most of the site, results indicate deposits resulting from anthropic activities such as the dumping of land snail shells and other remains, the tossing of entire and fragmented shells in sub-horizontally distributed layers, primary combustion features, and dumping/sweeping of combustion-derived materials. Shell-bearing facies exhibit similarities with chronologically contemporaneous Ribeira de Iguape basin's riverine sambaquis. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 19/18664-9 - The human occupation of southeast South America through the Holocene: an interdisciplinary, multiescalar and diacronic approach
Grantee:Astolfo Gomes de Mello Araujo
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 18/23282-5 - Change and continuity in prehistoric human groups from Ribeira de Iguape Valley (São Paulo and Paraná): applying evolutionary theory to bioarchaeology and material culture
Grantee:Maria Mercedes Martinez Okumura
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
FAPESP's process: 23/18132-2 - Cultural changes in Central Brazil: high-resolution geoarchaeology at Gruta do Gentio II and Lapa do Boquete, MG
Grantee:Arlys Nicolás Batalla Crossa
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 20/04283-0 - Anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic sediments in rock shelter settings: using micromorphology and mineralogical analysis to tackle formation processes in Abrigo do Alvo, Abrigo Roncador and Abrigo Maximiano archaeological sites, São Paulo state, Brazil
Grantee:Arlys Nicolás Batalla Crossa
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 18/14293-3 - Human-environment interactions in different sites through time: Geochemical approach to the formation of Abrigo do Alvo, Abrigo Roncador, and Abrigo Maximiano rockshelters
Grantee:Arlys Nicolás Batalla Crossa
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 13/13794-5 - The Paleoindian occupation of São Paulo State: a geoarchaeological approach
Grantee:Astolfo Gomes de Mello Araujo
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants