Archaeology on the highlands: the use of GIS in spatial analysis of the archaeological sites at the locality ‘Boa Parada’, municipality of São José do Cerrito, SC

Abstract

The paper aims to present a spatial analysis of the distribution of the sites mapped at the locality ‘Boa Parada’, municipality of São José do Cerrito, SC. In the locality there were found 31 structures, arranged in four sites, containing pit houses, earthworks and mounds, all attributed to the Southern Jê. The corresponding radiocarbon dates vary from 830 through 370 years B.P., signaling an occupation of relative permanence. Taking in account the social complexity revealed by the accumulated data and the very small understanding produced about the Jê occupation of the South Brazilian Highlands employing new approaches and new technologies, we decided to use new methods to produce something different to explain how the Jê occupied the area of our present interest.