Seventeenth Century Cabinets in the History of Portuguese Archaeology: spaces, collectors and artifacts

Abstract

The thematic of seventeenth century Cabinets is explored in this article, most particularly in Portugal. Resorting to a comparative analysis and with the aid of historical documentation, the scenario of portuguese reality is presented, connecting the study of Antiquarianism to the History of Archaeology. Examining collectors, collections and artifacts, the archaeological dimension of these establishments is perceived with a connectivity logic, offering new data and perspectives for the interpretation of this chronological period, which is here argued to be of extreme importance to the shaping of Archaeology as a Science.