A paisagem de São Salvador do Congo e o discurso colonial português frente a Conferência de Berlim (1884-1885)

This study reveals how the Portuguese colonial landscape of São Salvador do Congo (modern-day Mbanza Kongo, Angola) was strategically constructed to legitimize Portugal's territorial claims during the late 19th-century Scramble for Africa. By analyzing colonial narratives and archaeological evidence, researchers demonstrate that the city's landscape—marked by structures of power and religious significance—served as a symbolic tool to assert dominance over the southern Congo region. The findings highlight how Portuguese discourse, particularly in the context of the Berlin Conference (1884-1885), framed the site as a testament to historical achievements, reinforcing socio-political control while erasing indigenous histories. This approach underscores the intersection of colonial power dynamics and material culture in shaping Africa's political boundaries.

Maximo, B. P. (2018). A paisagem de São Salvador do Congo e o discurso colonial português frente a Conferência de Berlim (1884-1885). Vestígios - Revista Latino-Americana de Arqueologia Histórica, 12(1), 5–29. https://doi.org/10.31239/vtg.v12i1.12112