The variability of the lithic industries in the state of São Paulo: a regional synthesis

Abstract

This project is based on the hypothesis that the lithic industries found in the state of São Paulo present a greater diversity of forms and technological choices when compared to those found in neighboring states. It is intended to evaluate this possible greater variability of the São Paulo sites through the comparisons of archaeological sites from the state of Minas Gerais and Paraná that have already establishment lithic Traditions. For this, (1) a general literature survey of the lithic collections in the three states will be carried out, and (2) analysis of lithic materials from sites of the interior of São Paulo. An approach that will confront the expectations coming from a theoretical Processualist explanation with another one based on Cultural Transmission theory will be used for the interpretation of the data assuming that the different aspects of the technological and morphological characterization of the lithic industries can provide data to establish an initial picture of the cultural diversity of Holocene hunter-gatherer groups in the State of São Paulo, as well as their possible relations with other areas of the South and Southeast.