Social interaction and communities of practice in Formative period NW Argentina: a multi-analytical study of ceramics

Abstract

We present clear production areas for two distinct polychrome wares in the earlier part of the period. Both networks appear to be geographically selective. The connection between Quebrada del Toro and the southern sector of Calchaquí has been now clearly demonstrated and should be considered in future modeling. There existed shared technological style in the core study area throughout the first millennium AD: ordinary wares varied across valleys but minimally, decorated wares were technologically homogenous (intercommunity circulation of clays, pots, knowledge & skills). Results call for a revision of the purported central role of some areas: Ambato clays not found, Condohuasi likely to have been manufactured at Campo del Pucará but other areas cannot be discarded yet. We need to acknowledge the relevance of connections between ?marginal? areas to model social interaction and emergent complexity. A complex and ever-widening network of associations and mutual dependencies demonstrated beyond typological analysis. The diversity of connections revealed in this study shows that communities often avoided the artifacts and iconographies related to so-called centers.