Current Research: Mexico, Central America, & South America

Reported by Pedro Paulo A. Funari
ppfunari@uol.com.

(Summer 2011 SHA Newsletter 44[2])

Brazil

Archaeology at Father Toledo's House, Tiradentes, Minas Gerais:The Archaeological Laboratory of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, under the field direction of Carlos Magno Guimaráes and with the support of the Rodrigo Mello Franco de Andrade Foundation, is conducting fieldwork at a well-known 18th-century dwelling in the mining district. The owner of the town house was a Catholic priest, Padre Carlos Correa de Toledo, who joined a rebellion, inspired by the American Revolution, against the Portuguese crown which attempted to win independence for the colony. The archaeological work aims also to supplement the historical information in the local archives with evidence of daily life. One result is that the locations of the main architectural features, including slave quarters and landlord rooms, have been determined. The presence of religious artifacts is also particularly important, as is the use of commonly found pottery types. Research is ongoing and is expected to lead to a better understanding of the late-colonial material culture in the area.