Archaeometry in Guarani ceramic in southern Brazil: a case study

Abstract

Through the archaeometrical analysis with the X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique applied in ceramic material samples from Guarani archaeological sites of the Laguna dos Patos-RS southwest border, we pretend discuss formal aspects in the traditional analysis in archaeology. That’s the case of ceramics with a “black crust” with until five millimeters thick that cover normally the external sherds surface, which the formal analysis indicated that it was cultural traces resulting from the pots used in systemic context. However, through the present archaeometrical analysis, we reach most refined results which indicate other causes for the formation of these traces. Besides discuss the results, we’ll approach in this text some reflections about the necessity of the archaeometrical techniques uses as complementary to the traditional analysis in archaeology.