Processos de formação arqueológicos de sítios de naufrágios : uma proposta sistemática de estudos

Abstract

Comprehending the role that formation processes play in the constitution of an archaeological site is fundamental for a more precise interpretation of the data collected in it. Concerning shipwreck sites, such processes possess certain peculiarities which must be taken into account in the archaeological research. However, that subject is not sufficiently developed in the literature, especially in Brazil. Hence, the present work aims at discussing principles that should be considered when studying archaeological formation processes which influence shipwreck sites. To this end, a bibliographical review is conducted, firstly with a general approach and, after that, addressing the processes that act specifically at shipwreck sites. This bibliographical review brings together several works about archaeological formation processes at shipwreck sites and lays down a foundation for the next chapters. Subsequently, an analysis of three case studies is performed. In this analysis, aspects such as the research goals, the comprehensiveness of the depositional periods which are addressed and which types of processes (natural and cultural) are considered. Such analysis, led us to conclude that the authors do not entirely exploit the potential that the investigation of archaeological formation processes of shipwreck sites offer when interpreting of the material culture. With the intention of offering elements to assist researches of that field, we propose a model for the study of formation processes of shipwreck sites. Initially, we present a division of the wreckage process in eight phases. In this division are included processes that act in the pre-deposition, deposition and post-deposition, as well as natural and cultural processes. Finally, we discuss principles that should be included in the study of formation processes of archaeological sites. These principles follow the same stages of which a research typically consists: planning, data collection, data analysis and publication of the results.