The paleoenvironment of southeastern São Paulo: contributions from Itapeva shelter to a discussion on anthropic and natural insertion

Abstract

Paleoclimate reconstitution for the state of São Paulo results from past and ongoing research efforts in palynology, anthracology, and stable isotope studies. In cases such as southern São Paulo, however, researchers are required to extrapolate data from the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul for comparisons. Phytoliths and seeds were collected from sediments retrieved from excavation units D18 and G6 at the Abrigo de Itapeva [Itapeva Shelter] archeological site and analyzed. Seed results indicate that Ocotea (Lauraceae) is present in the initial levels, whereas Syagrus romanzoffiana predominates at all other stratigraphic levels. The former is a species of Atlantic Forest that occurs in Araucaria Forests; the latter is a palm species found in southeastern and southern Brazil. Phytoliths analysis reveals a change from a drier climate with grassland vegetation to a woody forest in the later periods of shelter occupation. As such, grassland and forest vegetation types occur from base stratigraphic levels up to level seven, dating from 5,510 cal BP to 730 cal BP. Conversely, from level seven up to the surface levels, dated from 730 cal BP to 560 cal BP, we see species linked to Araucaria Forest proliferation which may indicate the presence of Jê groups in the study area, thus corroborating studies on the possible anthropization of São Paulo forests from 1,000 BP.