Geoarqueologia nas praias de Mundaú e Flecheiras: um estudo da cerâmica e sua compatibilidade com fontes de argila

Abstract

This study analyzes archaeological ceramic sherds recovered from the beaches of Mundaú and Flecheiras, municipality of Trairi (Ceará, Brazil), during the construction of local wind‑farm complexes and now curated at the Archaeology and Semiotics Laboratory of Ceará (LARSE) in Quixadá. The collection was revisited with a focus on specific attributes and a detailed characterization of its physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties. The study area comprises Trairi and adjoining sectors of the municipalities of Itapipoca, Paraipaba, and Paracuru, with special attention to the principal drainage networks. Regional geology includes Precambrian rocks and Plio‑Pleistocene sediments, in addition to Quaternary deposits. The relationship between humans and landscape is dynamic and complex, requiring a comprehensive analysis that integrates physical/environmental and ideological/cultural dimensions. Interdisciplinary approaches such as Archaeometry – employing physico‑chemical and mineralogical techniques – are therefore indispensable. Within a geoarchaeological framework, these methods facilitated the assessment of ceramic provenance and the interaction between ecological niches and human communities. Investigative techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X‑ray Diffraction (XRD) were used to determine the composition and manufacturing techniques of the ceramics. Thermoluminescence (TL) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) analyses aided in establishing the age of the materials. Geotechnical tests, including particle‑size analysis and density measurements, were carried out to evaluate the physical properties of clay samples from the study region. The findings reveal that raw‑material selection for ceramic production was influenced not only by source proximity but also by cultural and functional considerations. The diversity of ceramics recovered in Trairi reflects the complexity of production practices and underscores the importance of cultural factors in interpreting archaeological remains.