Using Available Archaeological Insights into a Maritime Landscape: Can We Learn From Beads and Porcelain on the Beaches of Mozambique Island—Even When these Have Been Collected for Commercial Purposes?

Summary

This paper presents the results of the archeological survey of porcelain shreds and beads that were collected from beaches in the Mozambique Island maritime landscape. This assemblage represents a long history of maritime interactions dating to at least the 15th century initially focused on the Indian Ocean, but eventually also encompassing the Atlantic. It first describes the collected assemblage (which includes significant representation from the Ming Dynasty (Wanli period 15th to 16th centuries) and Qing Dynasty (17th to 20th centuries), 17th to 19the century European wares), local vernacular ware, and ceramics of various Islamic origination. It then develops an inventory of site formation processes—including shipwrecking events, regular harbor activities, and –since the 1960’s—removal and sale of some artefacts to tourists—exploring how each affects the relative presence and distributions of artefacts in the archaeological record in particular ways—ultimately with significant implications for how that record is interpreted.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Paper / Report Submission (General Sessions) 2017   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2017

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

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PaperId(s): 605