Technological Characterization of Early Period Ceramics (Ciénaga Culture) from Northwestern Argentine: a case study through the application of binocular miscroscope, petrographic data, and chemical analyses”

21) DE LA FUENTE, GUILLERMO A., NORMA RATTO Y MARTÍN ORGAZ.

Francia

Taller; Colloque Archéométrie; 2003

le Centre de Recherche en Physique Appliquée à l'Archéologie, UMR CNRS 5060, Maison de l'Archéologie, Pessac (France)

The general aim of this research is to present and discuss the information concerning the ceramic technology of a ceramic artefacts sample assigned to what has been defined “Ciénaga Culture”, Early Formative Period (ca. 500 b.C. – 600 A.D.), Northwestern Argentine. The ceramic sample has been recovered in surface contexts at Vega San Francisco sub-basin (4,000 m.a.s.l.), Chaschuil valley, Puna Region, Northwestern Argentine. Therefore, we intend to approach the discussion of the modality of occupation of these social groups, assigned to the Early Formative Period at the southern Puna, taking into account the high frecuency of this ceramic type. The preliminary results obtained through technological analyses (binocular microscope and ceramic thin-sections), and the distributional analysis of these materials allow us to develop the technological profile that characterizes the ceramic sample, mainly dominated by the presence of fine and meddium grained fabrics, and the presence of crystalline quartz, K-feldespar, and others secondary minerals as the main temper agents used in the manufacture of this ceramic type. In this paper we present the technological data and preliminary chemical results which are supporting the idea of non-local ceramic production of this ceramic type, which in turn would be implying some transport mechanism of these goods to this geographical area, probably from the Abaucán valley (1,500 m.a.s.l.). This information involving the study of ceramic pastes as well as the strong contrast in the modality of occupation between the valley and the puna regions, would be indicating that these social groups are occupying a new space, probably related with circulation via and/or appropiation of other resources such as vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) and guanaco (Lama guanicoe).