Caracterización de lavas vítreas de fuentes y sitios arqueológicos del Formativo Temprano en la Subárea Circumpuneña: Resultados preliminares y proyecciones para la prehistoria atacameña

Abstract

Experimental and preliminary petrographic analysis and chemical characterization studies were carried out on lithic samples from archaeological sites in the Salado subregion in northern Chile. Rock samples analyzed come from early Formative contexts and were performed on a rock macroscopically identified as vitrified basalt. Results of the petrographic analysis indicated the presence of two types of rocks, a vitrified piroxite andesite and a vitrified rhyodacite. On the other hand chemical characterization showed that the methods used could successfully discriminate between different chemical groups. The objectives of the research were to test specific analytical techniques and to apply these results to answer question on the production and circulation of raw materials and lithic tools in the rio Salado subregion in Northern Chile.