Obsidians from the South of Cumbres Calchaquíes: Technological and Provenance Analysis in Tafí and Anfama Valleys (Tucumán, Argentina)

Abstract

The aim of this presentation is to communicate the results of the analysis of knapped remains of obsidians recovered in archeological sites of the Tafí and Anfama valleys. The studies addressed the use of this raw material in their contexts and the role of the study area in obsidian distribution circuits. The methodology used involved the techno-morphological, morphological-functional and origin analysis. The sample showed an exclusive and long-term use of the Ona source. The distance to this area suggests communicate the results of the analysis of knapped remains of obsidians recovered in archeological sites of the Tafí and Anfama valleys. The studies addressed the use of this raw material in their contexts and the role of the study area in obsidian distribution circuits. The methodology used involved the techno-morphological, morphological-functional and origin analysis. The sample showed an exclusive and long-term use of the Ona source. The distance to this area suggests indirect procurement practices within complex distribution circuits. It was also identified that this raw material was used intensively to produce artifacts used in domestic settings associated with daily practices, which leads to open access to that resource. The results and their comparison with nearby sites where this same raw material and provenance source was detected in similar contexts allow us to think about the role of this materiality within the social reproduction strategies of the groups that occupied the study area.