La cerámica Tiwanaku de la isla Pariti como recipiente: Performances y narrativas

Abstract

The Tiwanaku ceramic offering of the island of Pariti (Lake Titicaca), was excavated and reconstructed in 2004-2006, is the most important collection of (semi) intact ceramic vessels recovered from a secure context for the the archaeology of Tiwanaku. Their characteristics of recovery and its morphological and iconographic variability, allow us to develop a mixed study, emphasizing the role of the distinct ceramic vessels in the commensal ceremony, and the significance of the decorative motifs and colors. The study of these elements and of the placement of the artifacts within the votive contexts leads us to interpret this assemblage as a system arranged according to narrative contents, which through social performance allowed the participants to position themselves in relation to other human and non-human social collectives. Finally, we suggest an alternative interpretation of the variability of Tiwanaku pottery, which draws away from the predominant view of this variability as a direct correlate of ethnicity and/or social position, focusing instead on the performative role of the artifacts and the interpretation of iconographical contents as creators of identities.