JOURNAL ARTICLE

ARTIFACT.

  • Published In: Archaeology, 2026, v. 79, n. 3. P. 64 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: LOBELL, JARRETT A. 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the early history of whale hunting by the Sambaqui culture in southern Brazil, revealing that they hunted large baleen whales such as southern right whales and humpbacks as early as 2944 B.C., which predates previous estimates by at least a thousand years. Archaeological findings include whale remains with butchery marks and harpoon artifacts, some associated with human burials, suggesting both practical and spiritual significance. This challenges earlier beliefs that dedicated whale hunting began only 3,500 to 2,500 years ago in Arctic and subarctic regions. The Sambaqui likely hunted whales seasonally for food, resources, and ceremonial purposes. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Archaeology. 2026/05, Vol. 79, Issue 3, p64
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Zoology
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0003-8113
  • Accession Number:192327631
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