Los colores de la Patagonia antigua: El uso de herramientas químicas combinadas para el estudio de pigmentos en contextos arqueológicos del Nordeste de la provincia de Chubut, Argentina

Abstract

El trabajo muestra cómo la colaboración interdisciplinaria y el uso de técnicas analíticas avanzadas pueden proporcionar información detallada sobre la composición química de materiales arqueológicos, sus tecnologías de aplicación y las fuentes de aprovisionamiento. En el estudio de pigmentos presentes en materiales arqueológicos del nordeste de Chubut, Patagonia Argentina, se han utilizado combinaciones de métodos instrumentales, como la espectroscopía infrarroja, la espectroscopia Raman, la difracción y fluorescencia de rayos X, y la cromatografía gaseosa acoplada con espectrometria de masas. Las estrategias metodológicas empleadas han permitido tanto componentes inorgánicos como orgánicos de los pigemntos. Al combinar estas herramientas con la contextualización proporcionada por el conocimiento arqueológico, el análisis químico brinda valiosos aportes a la arqueología y a la conservación del patrimonio cultural. En conjunto, la utilización de herramientas analíticas combinadas para el estudio de materiales arqueológicos pigmentados aporta claridad al conocimiento sobre la utilización y circulación de pigmentos en la Patagonia prehistórica, revelando aspectos clave de la vida, la tecnología y las interacciones sociales en la región.

The work shows how interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of advanced analytical techniques can provide detailed information about the chemical composition of archaeological materials, including their production technologies, applications, and sources of supply. In the study of pigments present in archaeological materials from northeastern Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina, combinations of instrumental methods such as infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry have been used. The methodological strategies employed have allowed the identification of both inorganic and organic components of the pigments. By combining these tools with the contextualization provided by archaeological knowledge, the chemical analysis offers valuable contributions to archaeology and the conservation of cultural heritage. Together, the use of combined analytical tools for the chemical study of pigmented archaeological materials brings clarity to our understanding of pigment use and circulation in prehistoric Patagonia, revealing key aspects of life, The work shows how interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of advanced analytical techniques can provide detailed information about the chemical composition of archaeological materials, including their production technologies, applications, and sources of supply. In the study of pigments present in archaeological materials from northeastern Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina, combinations of instrumental methods such as infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry have been used. The methodological strategies employed have allowed the identification of both inorganic and organic components of the pigments. By combining these tools with the contextualization provided by archaeological knowledge, the chemical analysis offers valuable contributions to archaeology and the conservation of cultural heritage. Together, the use of combined analytical tools for the chemical study of pigmented archaeological materials brings clarity to our understanding of pigment use and circulation in prehistoric Patagonia, revealing key aspects of life,