The Colina do Horto Geosite in the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark, Brazil: Archaeology of the Contemporary and Cultural Landscape

Abstract

Abstract This article analyzes the Colina do Horto Geosite, located within the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark (Northeastern Brazil), through an integrated approach that combines geodiversity, archaeology, and cultural landscape approaches, grounded in the theoretical and methodological framework of Archaeology of the Contemporary. The study adopts the understanding of landscape as a historical construction resulting from continuous interactions between natural elements, social practices, and symbolic systems. Methodologically, the research combined bibliographic analysis, the survey of archaeological information, interviews with a key informant involved in the recovery of lithic artifacts from the site, direct observation of local practices, and dialogue with visitors and pilgrims. Photographic images of the lithic artifacts were also used as visual stimuli to explore processes of recognition and interpretation among frequent users of the geosite. The results indicate that, despite the limited number of preserved archaeological remains, the lithic artifacts associated with the geosite present significant interpretative potential when analyzed in relation to oral narratives and contemporary ritual practices. The analysis shows that the symbolic relationship with rocks, currently expressed in devotional gestures and pilgrimage practices, reflects cultural continuities that precede the consolidation of popular Christian religiosity associated with Padre Cícero. In this sense, Colina do Horto is interpreted as a complex cultural landscape in which geological elements, archaeological records, and contemporary religious practices interact through processes of re-signification across different historical layers. Recognizing these interactions contributes to a broader understanding of geoheritage and supports integrated strategies of heritage valorization, education, and geoconservation within the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark.