Heaps of shells: situating artificial mounds of shells in Brazilian and Japanese prehistorical studies

Abstract

Archaeological sites marked by visible presence of shells can be found in different regions around the world. Named for their most visible characteristic, in Brazil they are known as sambaqui and in Japan as kaizuka. Shell mounds studies are part of local, regional and global research. Therefore, we aimed to situated shell mound studies among such research and questioning, and in a comparative perspective, we analyzed to what extent such studies are inserted into investigative lines that promote a global dialogue.