Consumption of Pottery in Quebrada de la Cueva, Humahuaca, Jujuy

Abstract

The spatial distribution of pottery in Quebrada de La Cueva (Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina) is a useful hint towards understand consumption relations. In this study, consumption is mainly seen from a stylistic level, both on intra- and inter-site scales within the area. Furthermore, the evaluation of this practice through time could contribute to the study of past social practices in the area. Considering this region as part of the northern Quebrada de Humahuaca, it is suggested that this area suffered similar processes of change on different levels. The starting point of this work is thus defined by the general hypothesis that the consumption of pottery in Quebrada de La Cueva varied through time. From this, a number of minor hypotheses may be derived: (a) during the Late Formative Period, consumption of pottery in the area had a more foreign nature; and (b) during both the Regional Developments Period II and Inca Periods, its consumption was more locally based than in previous and probably later occupational events. Hence, this chapter considers pottery at the stylistic level, using the concept of goods consumption as a kind of symbolic action. In order to consider the consumption of pottery on a stylistic level, a number of analyses were performed: (1) a decorative analysis of complete vessels and sherds recovered in past and recent excavations; (2) a study of the variability in styles on inter- and intra-site scales within the area both spatially and temporally; and (3) a preliminary outline of some of the ways pottery was consumed in Quebrada de La Cueva.