Inclusiones piroclásticas en pastas cerámicas del valle de tafí: Implicancias para las prácticas de producción

Abstract

The use of pumiceous inclusions as coarse temper is a practice recorded in pottery associated with Late and Inca periods in Northwest Argentina. The nature of these inclusions and the technological process that incorporates them into pottery provide clues on the social and political significance of this practice. Sub-macroscopic and microscopic paste analysis carried out on fragments obtained from two Tafí valley sites, lead to conclude that the finer clastic fractions composing the pastes come from pyroclastic-fall deposits available in different areas of Northwest Argentina. Pre-Columbian potters identified, selected and transported these materials in order to prepare ceramic pastes, without need to grind or select them. Similar pottery inclusions found throughout the region suggest a shared manufacturing pattern related to Inka rule.