Continuidad y ruptura en procesos de diferenciación social en comunidades aldeanas del valle de Ambato, Catamarca, Argentina (S. IV-X d.C.)

Abstract

In the Valley of Ambato, Catamarca, Argentina from the IVth century A.D., a new way of life is formed with diversification of social roles and maintenance of economic and political inequalities. There is a correspondingly greater diversity in material culture, characterized by the Aguada ceramic style. Recent research tends to confirm a local development for this cultural process, which included some elements of strong continuity, along with few others marking ruptures with reworking meanings. Based on the contrast that arises from the comparison between the forms of life characterized by the Aguada style and the previous ones, we focused our attention on the local processes. Considering the continuities and ruptures, the reconfigurations and innovations, we proposed a theoretical approach to conclude that in Ambato the process occurred in a relatively brief period, with a profound impact on numerous aspects of society. Thus, we postulated that the change was drastic and not gradual.