Beyond the shards: the Historical Archaeology from three superartifacts (a case study of three jesuit churches)

Abstract

The article presents a model of the Portuguese Jesuitic settlement in the Brazilian coast from the outcomes of three research projects in churches (Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Anchieta, Espírito Santo; Reis Magos, Serra, Espírito Santo; and São Lourenço dos Índios, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro). The analysis is based in the idea that the constructions – whether they are not damaged or in different states of ruination – are to be seen as artifacts (or superartifacts), built by man as is the fragmented portable material culture. The superartifacts are considered as inserted in a certain time and space, thus filled with values and symbolism. They are, in this sense, products and producers of social relations, which have to be unveiled and comprehended so as to improve the outcomes of the research and history of these properties, from a perforce interdisciplinary view. From this perspective, the text presents an analysis of the spatialities of the previously mentioned churches, relating it to the changes occurred in the religious liturgy and to the intentionality present in the Jesuit project.

Keywords

• Historical Archaeology
• Jesuitic Architecture
• Superartifacts