Funerary Practices at the Toca do Gongo III Site during the Late Holocene in Serra da Capivara (Piauí, Brazil)

Archaeological research at the Toca do Gongo III site, within UNESCO World Heritage-listed Serra da Capivara National Park, reveals previously undocumented funerary practices of semi-sedentary horticultural-ceramist groups inhabiting Brazil's semi-arid Caatinga region during the Late Holocene (c. A.D. 1390–1630). Bioarchaeological analysis of 12 burials—including pit graves and ceramic urn deposits—highlights a predominance of juvenile remains, offering new insights into mortuary customs in the Brazilian northeast. The study compares these findings with other regional sites, tracing funerary traditions from the Late Pleistocene to Late Holocene, thereby addressing significant gaps in understanding prehistoric burial practices. This research contributes critical data on the cultural and social organization of ancient groups in a globally recognized archaeological landscape.

Solari, A., Pessis, A. M., Martin, G., & Guidon, N. (2019). Funerary Practices at the Toca do Gongo III Site during the Late Holocene in Serra da Capivara (Piauí, Brazil). Bioarchaeology International, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.5744/bi.2018.1016