PETROGRAPHY OF THE CERAMIC PASTES FROM LAS GARZAS SITE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE POTTERY TRADITIONS OF THE FIRST MILLENNIUM IN NORTHWESTERN ARGENTINA

Abstract

We present the results about the last researches carried out on ceramic fabrics of Las Garzas, an Early site (600 a.C.-650 d.C.) located in the Lerma Valley (Province of Salta, Argentina). This approach implied a revision of previous studies initiated by Cremonte (Cremonte et al., 1987), which allowed us to adjust the petrography of the ceramic pastes, expanding the analyzed sample and completing the previous analyzes incorporating different recording procedures. Data obtained in relation to the local geology allowed us to hypothesize about foreign or in situ production of the vessels represented in the studied sample. Likewise, comparisons with other pottery groups from the Lerma Valley and more distant pottery traditions such as Tafí and San Francisco valleys, allowed us to evaluate links in the manufacturing techniques that contribute to our knowledge about early pottery technological traditions in Northwestern Argentina.