Social Space and the Archaeology of Inequality: Insights into Social Differences at Ambato Valley, Southern Andes, Argentina

Abstract

This paper presents an alternative conception of inequality, theoretically defined from a relational perspective and empirically supported by the archaeological analysis of the bulk and structure of available resources or capitals. The author also explores the interpretative potential of two concepts, field and social space, in studying past social differentiation; using those two concepts he proposes a theoretical approach to groups or social classes according to relative positions (both of individuals and groups). The proposal is illustrated with the case of social inequality in a pre-Hispanic society of the northern Andes of Argentine.