The latest Rock Art
findings in
Santa Catarina
- Porto União
Symbolic mascs
dominate the Rock Art found
locally as the municipal area becomes the
first from western Santa Catarina to feasure on
our Rupestrian map.
Look and Read by clicking on the map's link.
- Garopaba
The finding of two small rock shelters featuring Rock Art adds to the archarlogical
wealth of the municipality.
- Florianópolis
Ancient footprints and a large symbolic mask found together at a site
confirm the existence of a different type of rupestrian art on the island
(besides the more common geometric symbology).
Campeche Island
"We had hoped that the decision to declare the island Braziliam National
Historical and Ecological Patrimony would lead to better care of its Rock
Art, damage over time by the sun, lichen and water. But no: our authorities
are not concerned by rupestrian remains. They have spent two years studying
the tipe of tourist, where he or she originates from and what they like about
the place without giving any thought to the future of the Rock Art which won
the island the official protection in the first place". These observations,
made two years ago, are still correct. What’s worse, the paths to the
Art are being improved without any protection or restoration work offered
to the Art itself as had been suggested by our administration project, forcibly
shelved by local authorities back in 1998.
Coral Island
Here we face the continuing problem of abandoned Rock Art sites. Part of the
State Park Tabuleiro but possessed of a small lighthouse, the island is "run"
by the Navy, which has banned landing on the island without taking the action
to ensure that people do in fact stay away. Campers continue to alight and
dirty the area whilst law-abiding trained tourist guides cannot return. This
situation means that the Rock Art sites are constantly in danger of damage.
Who would we try to take to court in the case of vandalism?
Garopaba
Astounding acts of stupidity continue to damage our heritage. This time, the
spotlight of shame falls on Prainha da Vigia, a local beach where a path leading
to the sands has been diverted so as not to damage the grass beside a new
bar. The path nows runs directly over a beautiful lithic station featuring
both straight and circular grinding markings. Temporary damage to grass has
been given priority over the certain deterioration forever of what is an outdoor
museum displaying 4.000 years of history.
Urubici
Two lithic stations have been found locally, where previously none had been know of; the hope nom is that more will be found close to the subterranean abodes and galleries. See photos on the Urubici page.
A warning to all:
Brazil's Federal laws 3.924/61 and 9.605/91
plus State law 228/55 hold local mayors responsible for any lapse in the care
and preservation of archaeological sites. Did you ever see Santa Catarina
mayor punished for the destruction of such sites – and hundreds have
been damaged – since these laws came into force? Strange, isn't it?
Especially given the number of public posts established to guard against the
non-observation of law. Such posts have extremely rarely been used to safeguard
our Rock Art sites.
React against this apathy. Such archaeological sites are officially decreed
the Patrimony of Humanity and belong to one and all. Use your citizenship
to demand that laws be abided by.
The past belongs to the future only if the present preserves it!