Production and distribution of early colonial pottery in the Central Andes: Models and cases

Abstract

How did the early colonial regime impact the potter’s craft in the Andes? How can documentary and material evidence of pottery production allow us to better understand that period? This article proposes a methodology to answer both questions. It suggests that it is necessary to use explicit analytic models about potters when dealing with ceramic evidence. In this context, several models about potters are proposed for the early colonial period, and three specific cases showing the diversity of strategies employed by artisans of that period are discussed.