Variaciones sobre un mismo tema: El arte rupestre asociado al complejo pica-tarapacá, Norte De Chile

Abstract

This article presents a synthetic view of rock art iconography associated with habitation sites in the northern portion of the Tarapacá region. Specifically, we discuss the data in relation to its iconographic variability, both intra-and intersite, establishing a common set of images that function differently at each settlement. Moreover, we discuss the role that rock art might have played on the regional level during the Late Intermediate Period. Special attention is given to the dialogue between the information reported here -which belongs to the private sphere-and that of the public sphere, which is well-known in the region although not associated with habitation sites.