Celso Simbine, from the Department of Archeology and Anthropology at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) will present the Department of Archaeology seminar with a talk entitled, "The Maritime Archaeology of Mozambique Island: Lessons from the commercial gathering of beads and porcelain for tourists".

ABSTRACT:

This paper presents the results of the archaeological survey of porcelain sherds and beads that were collected on beaches around Mozambique Island. This assemblage represents a long history of maritime interactions dating to at least the 15th century initially focused on the Indian Ocean, but eventually also encompassing the Atlantic. It first describes the collected assemblage (which includes significant representation from the Ming Dynasty (Wanli period 15th to 16th centuries) and Qing Dynasty (17th to 20th centuries), 17th to 19th century European wares). It then develops an inventory of site-formation processes including shipwrecking events, regular harbour activities, and, since the 1960’s, the removal and sale of artefacts to tourists. Then, the paper explores how each affects the relative presence and distributions of artefacts in the archaeological record in particular ways ultimately with significant implications for preserving the cultural heritage of the Mozambique Island.

BIO:

Celso Simbine is master candidate student at University of Cape Town in the Department of Archaeology. He completed his undergraduate degree in Archaeology and Heritage Management from the Eduardo Mondlane University in 2015. He has participated in the Slave Wreck Project where had opportunity to work in a broad variety of archaeological excavations and underwater archaeological survey in Mozambique and United State of America. He has worked with various institutions as archaeological collections assistant. Actually, Celso´s focus area is Maritime Landscape in Archaeology of Northern Mozambique (Mozambique Island).