Estudo dos padrões de povoamento dos humanos anatomicamente modernos da idade da pedra superior, nas estações arqueológicas de Massingir, Gaza, Moçambique

Abstract

Starting from the idea that, since ancient times, prehistoric groups needed to settle, as well as those of today, the present work discusses several elements that led to the choice of places for human settlement in the region of Massingir, to the detriment of other regions. It should be noted that Massingir was continuously occupied by hominid populations during the Pleistocene, who preferred areas close to water sources, where they exploited natural resources (marine resources and raw materials) along the vicinity of the river terraces, a fact evidenced by the set of archaeological remains that mark all prehistory. The study aims to understand the factors that influenced the establishment of HAMs in the region, culminating in the processes of formation, use, transformation and abandonment of housing spaces. To achieve this purpose, the description, analysis, comparison and interpretation of archaeological, geographic, ethnographic, paleoenvironmental data obtained through literature review and spatial distribution maps of the region were made. The study is part of the field of landscape archaeology and the component linked to the process of formation of archaeological stations. The results obtained demonstrate a range of indicators and their respective landscape variables (hydrological, geological, geomorphological, floristic, faunal, pedological resources, among others), which constitute important elements for the establishment of settlements and development of activities by prehistoric groups. It should be noted that the choice of locations for the establishment of settlements by the HAMs was not only associated with environmental factors, but also with socio-economic-cultural and behavioral factors, which varied according to their time, space and needs