Amphibiomorphic Modeled and Painted Pottery from Argentine Patagonia and Central-Southern Chile. Functional Interpretation and Identification of Species Based on Mimetic and Aposematic Traits

ALBERTO ENRIQUE PEREZ; DANIELLA P. JOFRÉ; SCHUSTER, VERONICA

Open Archaeology

Cambridge

Lugar: London; Año: 2018 vol. 4 p. 394 - 405

2300-6560

Abstract: This work aims to identify attributes or features related to endemic amphibians in modeled andpainted pottery from central-southern Chile and north-western Argentina. From this work, we were ableto identify four species of amphibians represented in certain types of modeled and painted pottery, andwe also complemented this data with modern references and ethnohistorical chronicles of the potentialuse given to this pottery in particular. This contribution postulates that some elements of the black-onredpottery of the Early Ceramic Period of Araucanía in central-southern Chile and of Patagonia in northwesternArgentina, seek to highlight amphibiomorphic characteristics such as exophthalmia (protrudingeyes) and aposematism (brilliant coloring and brightness of the vessel by using an engobe decoration).Based on the ethnohistorical data of the area, it is also proposed that these vessels could be linked tothe exclusive use of highly toxic substances. Finally, the results allowed us to explore the close ecologicalinteraction between human groups and woodlands.