Urns, Bowls, and Ollas: Pottery-Making Practices and Technical Identity in the Southern Andes During the Late Period (ca. A.D. 900—A.D. 1450) (Catamarca, Northwestern Argentine Region, Argentina)

Abstract

Pottery-making practices developed by ancient potters during the Late Period (ca. A.D. 900 – 1200) in Northwestern Argentine region, are studied and discussed through an extensive archaeological research carried out at middle sector of Abaucán Valley, Province of Catamarca, Argentina. Pottery production for this period is evaluated through the notions of technological choices and technical identity and its relation with the technical behaviours developed by potters. An analysis of a large sample of ceramic sherds, complete vessels and over-fired sherds indicates that the potters produced a very narrow repertoire of ceramic forms (bowls, urns and ollas) using both a strong, local and conservative technology, and local ceramic raw materials. Pottery production during Late Period might be interpreted as reaching a supra-household level, becoming increasingly intensified and concentrated with the appearance of Inkas in the region.Additionally, some ideas are discussed concerning the technological choices done by ancient potters during this period and its implications for technological studies in archaeological ceramics.