The role of ceramics in Xingó history

Abstract

This work aims to contribute to the understanding of the archaeological contexts of the Xingó subregion, located on the lower São Francisco River. Ceramic fragments from six archaeological sites in the region were studied using archaeometric techniques. The proposal is to extend the archaeometric analysis of small sites located upstream, which have been the subject of little research. The Justino site was used as a reference because the one is the best studied in the region to date. To this end, the regional context, already covered, is investigated further, and the activities carried out at the sites studied are described. X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were some of the techniques used in this study. FTIR and thermal analysis suggest that pottery was fired above 500 °C. FTIR/SEM analysis indicated the macroscopic presence of minerals in the clays from different sites. This study also expands on the possibility that added temper containing organic matter in the Justino ceramics may indicate the presence of caraipé (tree bark) in the Xingó region. The presence of this typical Amazonian and Brazilian Cerrado (savannah) temper in Lower São Francisco would provide a framework for understanding precolonial connections between the regions.