Multiproxy analysis of clay sources and pottery sherds to elucidate the provenance of archaeological pottery in the Characato region, Córdoba, Argentina

NÓBILE, JULIETA C.; BRIZUELA, CAMILA; COLLO, GILDA; ROBLEDO, ANDRÉS; PERASSI, ILEANA; WUNDERLIN, CECILIA; MIGNINO, JULIAN; RIBEIRO GUEVARA, SERGIO; GERMANIER, ALEJANDRO; FAUDONE, SONIA; RUSTÁN, MARCELO; IZETA, ANDRÉS; CATTÁNEO, ROXANA

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Elsevier Ltd.

Año: 2025 vol. 62 p. 1 - 20

2352-409X

A multiproxy analysis was conducted to determine the potential clay sources used in the production of archaeological pottery in the Characato region, Córdoba, Argentina. The results reveal that archaeological pottery production in Characato relied heavily on local clay sources rich in granitic inclusions and minimal material processing, reflecting a localized, sustainable approach to pottery manufacturing. Petrographic analysis revealed four distinct fabric groups with a high degree of mineralogical and chemical consistency across the archaeological pottery sherds, supporting the use of local raw material. Geochemical analysis also shows significant correlations between the sherds and the raw clays, suggesting the incorporation of heavy minerals like zircon and ilmenite, consistent with local fluvio-eolian deposits and a REE distribution compatible with loessic and granitic parent material. These findings provide new insights into the technological practices of past societies in the Southern Pampean Hills, indicating a low level of mobility and localized production strategies.