Outdoor experiences: an analysis of conversations and interactions between adults visiting the Boqueirão da Pedra Furada archaeological site in Piauí (Brazil)

We analyzed the conversations and interactions of six groups of adults during mediated visits to the Boqueirão da Pedra Furada archaeological site in order to understand their experiences. Data were collected with a subjective camera and analyzed using a labelling protocol designed specifically to be applied to interactions between visitors, visitors and park staff, and visitors and exhibition elements. Our results show that the groups spoke and interacted in order to share information regarding the cave paintings. The park staff contextualized information, and visitors mainly engaged in sharing knowledge, making observations, and associating new information with previous personal experiences. There were evident opportunities for visitors to expand their knowledge of the natural and social sciences and enjoy moments of leisure. Overall, these factors may have facilitated visitors’ interpretation of the site’s natural environment, construction of sociocultural values, and sense of identity and belonging, as well as fostered deeper connections with the site.