Before the city: catalog unveils São Paulo’s ancient past

Casa Museu Ema Klabin releases the catalog of “When São Paulo Was Piratininga,” revealing 4,000 years of human presence before the city’s foundation.

On February 28 at 11 a.m., Casa Museu Ema Klabin hosts the launch of the catalog for the exhibition “When São Paulo Was Piratininga: Paulista Archaeology.” Curated by Paulo de Freitas Costa and Paula Nishida, the exhibition highlights traces of human occupation long before the colonial period, connecting science, history, and imagination to explore the city’s deep past.

The catalog features essays by the curators and photographs that document key aspects of the exhibition, inviting visitors to rethink São Paulo’s early human history. Admission is free, with a suggested voluntary contribution.

Talk and workshop explore archaeology

After the launch, archaeologist Paula Nishida will give a talk about the nearly 90 archaeological sites found across the city. Her presentation shows how archaeological research reveals aspects of São Paulo’s past often missing from written history.

At 2 p.m., archaeologist Luiz Fernando Erig Lima leads the workshop “Flaked Stone: How Our Ancestors Made Tools from Rock.” The session combines practical experience and reflection on prehistoric technology, inviting participants to imagine São Paulo as a space of long-term human presence.

Lecture series expands perspectives

Running until March 29, the exhibition is accompanied by lectures and events led by experts like Luis Symanski, Letícia Correa, and Ricardo Cardim, covering topics such as diasporic archaeology and the Atlantic Forest. The program highlights the cultural diversity that has shaped São Paulo through the centuries.

Service

Date: February 28, 2026 (Saturday)

11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Catalog launch and lecture by Paula Nishida. Free admission, registration: https://emaklabin.org.br/em-cartaz/palestras-presencial-quando-sao-paulo-era-piratininga-arqueologia-paulistana

2 p.m.: Workshop “Flaked Stone” with Luiz Fernando Erig Lima. Free admission, registration: https://emaklabin.org.br/

Exhibition: Until March 29 at Casa Museu Ema Klabin (Rua Portugal, 43, Jardim Europa, São Paulo). Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: R$ 20 (full), R$ 10 (half).

Photo: Nelson Kon / Casa Museu Ema Klabin Archive