Mangrove record in a small sambaqui from the southern Santa Catarina coast, Brazil, at circa 4900 cal yrs BP, and considerations about the site Encantada-III occupation process

Abstract

Wood charcoal pieces of Avicennia sp, a typical and exclusive mangrove species, were retrieved from archaeological sediments dated of ca. 4900 years BP at sambaqui Encantada-III, Jaguaruna, Santa Catarina State. This site is localized slightly to the south of the present limit of mangrove distribution; the mangrove disappearance from this region is probably associated to variations in the relative sea level. These results corroborate the close association between sambaqui groups and the mangrove, and present direct evidence of the occurrence of this vegetation type close to the site implantation area and of the use of mangrove wood as fuel in sambaquis from this region. Moreover, anthracological data point to the existence of two periods of occupation in this site, probably of short duration, without evidence of quotidian activities. While the first period is associated to sambaqui populations, the second one is possibly related to Je or Guarani populations who inhabited the area subsequently.