Exploring the archaeological complexity of Shellmounds on São Luís Island: a multidisciplinary analysis

Abstract

The research investigates the coastal archaeology of Maranhão, with a focus on the shellmounds of São Luís Island. Its main objective is to understand the significance of these sites as reflections of the prehistoric societies that built them, as well as to explore the relationship between the shellmounds and the coastal environment. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the methodology involved archaeological excavations at specific sites, such as Bacanga, Panaquatira, and Chácara Rosane, and the analysis of the recovered materials. The results revealed a continuous and long-term human occupation on São Luís Island, with creative adaptations to local environmental conditions. The shellmounds not only served as stable settlement sites but also represent places of profound cultural significance, offering important insights into the pre-colonial history of Brazil. The preservation of these sites is crucial not only for the advancement of scientific knowledge but also for the valorization of the cultural and historical identity of the region, as well as for the conservation of coastal and estuarine ecosystems.