Multicultural Mankind: An Exploration of Portugal’s Worldwide Archaeological and Cultural Heritage

How is Portuguese archaeological cultural Heritage reflected today as traces of its colonial expansion through the World? The sadly departed scholar Ana Rosa Cruz formed the idea for this volume and together with Marco Valente gathered the contributions of 25 colleagues from a wide variety of countries: Brazil, Cape Verde Islands, China, India, Japan, México, Morocco, Namibia, Portugal, Saint Thomas & Prince Islands and Spain. The chapters are presented in bilingually, with articles in French, Hindu, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish alongside English translation.

Topics with a European context include the comparisons that might be established between Islamic medieval communities in Mertola and yumanos from Baja California in Mexico; narratives from the Islands communities of Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde, Japan, Saint Thomas and Prince and the Spice Islands; and Olivenza as a symbol of multiculturalism. African topics include Kenya’s Luso-Asian ties, Mbanza Kongo; the evolution of Moroccan heritage; the future for Mozambican Archaeology; and Namibia’s rich maritime past. Coverage of South America includes an exploration of the decolonization of Brazilian artifacts from the shores towards inland, while Asia is the focus of chapters on the continuity of Portuguese presence in India; protection of Macao’s rich archaeological heritage; and Portuguese influences in Japan.