CONTRIBUTIONS OF SEDIMENTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS TO DISCUSS SITE FUNCTIONALITY. A CASE STUDY AT COMPUEL, SALTA PROVINCE, NORTHWEST ARGENTINA

DEBORA N. KLIGMANN; VERÓNICA I. WILLIAMS

Honolulu

Congreso; 78th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology; 2013

Society for American Archaeology

In many sites of the Andean region, a special architectural type of structure called ?celdas? has been found. These ?celdas? are related to the Inca presence in the south sector of the Collasuyu. The function of these structures remains unknown since they have not been widely studied. Given the scarcity of even the absence of material remains usually associated with them, we here present the results of a geoarchaeological study, designed to offer information that will allow us to discuss their functionality. A sedimentological analysis has been performed, taking several attributes into account such as color, pH, phosphorus and organic matter. The goal of this study has been to look for anthropic modification of the substrate. The study area, named Compuel, is located in the province of Salta between the Calchaquí Valley and a high altitude desert called Puna, at 3400 masl. In both of these environments there are evidences of pre Inca as well as of Inca occupation. The information presented will allow us to discuss human occupation of the area as well as the relationships between local populations and the imperial administration in a region of northwest Argentina.