Sambaquis from the coast of Guarapari, Espírito Santo - Brazil: chemistry, physics and malacofauna

Abstract

Sambaquis are archaeological sites present mainly in coast and close to the fluvio-lake systems. They are found in most of the Brazilian coast. Sampling and analysis of soils and malacofauna species provide important information about human occupation in a given place. This research aimed to verify, through the analysis of chemical elements present in soils, the occurrence of human occupation in three sambaquis located in the Guarapari, Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Three profiles were delimited, one for each sambaqui, called Una I, Una II and Concha D’Ostra. The soil samples were dried,grinded, sieved, and then sent to the laboratory analysis. Significant amounts of chemical elements such as phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper and also organic matter were found. It was also verified significant change in the pH levels, cation exchange capacity, sum of bases and base saturation. The remains of malacofauna species used as food source by the sambaquieiros as well as the soil chemical analysis allow to conclude that there was human occupation in the three sambaquis. The high levels of phosphorus and potassium found in the Concha D’Ostra sambaqui as well as its scale suggest that there was human occupation there for a longer period of time than in the Una I and Una II sambaquis.

Keywords:
Archeology; Shellfish gatherers; Landscape; Archeoanthroposols