I know that APIA uses that information to create routes, how they develop this goal?
SP: There are routes created by us and people can go directly to the center of interpretation, or consult the website for this purpose. There are several established path that allow visitors to see the sites for an hour or all day, it consist on a guided tour, accompanied by an archaeologist to these sites marked by APIA, which also end up contributing to the development of the tourist development.
The other aspects of the association are the scolaships. Recently, a survey of mummies in the country, tell us a little about the subject. What are these mummies?
SP: Yes, one of the graduate student master’s theses was about the evolution of human biology that is the study of mummies Portuguese. They are bodies that have not been modified by time, uncorrupted, whom popular tradition attributes the ability to perform miracles and some are adored by the people as saints. The APIA supported this study and the first phase of field work that consisted of the macroscopic material. Currently, we are supporting two doctoral theses, one of prehistoric rock art and the second, which is on the shell mounds of Mugue. Are archaeological sites where we can find molusc and objects made of flint from the Mesolithic period, about 7000 years ago.
Tell us now a bit of potential findings in the Azores? What is it?
SP: It started with a vacation of our current president, Nuno Ribeiro to the Azores, detected potential archaeological interest in the area. By investigating the stories of the preoccupation of some islands of the archipelago, began to realize that in the history of Portugal, there is evidence that there was a long before the Portuguese an occupation. There are coins that were found on the island of Corvo, some of them are Phoenician and were acquired by a Spanish museum, there was even an equestrian statue that is known only a sketch, and some structures, which are believed to be funerary, that were pointed to by the locals that used it to guard livestock. I cannot say if it was temporary or not, but was prior to the Portuguese.
Phoenicians in the Azores?
SP: Why not? Like we said is a possibility, there has to be someone who can prove otherwise. The hypotheses are to be tested. There are ocean currents that pass by the island of Corvo and Flores from the Mediterranean, which may have provided the landing incident or not, but you have to dig to prove or disprove this hypothesis. An analysis of the physical constitution of people, their anatomy, biological evolution is an indicator of the characteristics of the people who came by. These studies and inventories should be made.
The APIA contacted the Regional Secretariat of Culture of the Azores, to establish a partnership to obtain the necessary legal permissions and some financial support.
Archaeology is a science and as such it is necessary to develop research to test, prove, or disprove hypotheses. In this case, there is some evidence that may point to an occupation prior to the Portuguese. There are reports in the story that combined with material evidence that can strengthen this issue. In Portuguese archeology there are some taboos and the Azores is one of those cases. There are no absolutes. With the evolution of new technologies and methodologies what today is considered the X, can be tomorrow Y and archeology purpose is that, to clarify, to construct and deconstruct assumptions, theories and myths.
What is the balance that makes the work of the association over the past twelve years? What is the natural evolution of the association?
SP: The intention is to continue to fund more research and make room for new topics for research even in the Serra da Estrela, where there is much to be done, especially funerary structures. It also depends on the financial situation of the country. Money is needed to carry out these studies, the APIA needs partners to get those funds that can generate profits for funding research projects. Right now there is a great stagnation. However, we are not stopped. There is the possibility of a partnership with Brazil, but nothing is decided yet. We are also helping to organize the International Congress of archaeo-astronomy to be held in September in our country.
What is the archeo-astronomy?
SP: It is a science that helps us in the study of prehistoric rock art. It analyzes the guidelines of the stars and the associations that these paintings had with the summer solstice and the full moons. There are a number of links in terms of religion, the prehistoric and contemporary societies which are determined by the stars. There are engravings in the Serra of Estrela, which were hand selected because it has a northeast-southwest direction, which is related to the sunrise and sunsets.
