El análisis composicional en el estudio de la producción y distribución de la cerámica prehispánica

Abstract

A more favorable context suggests the growing application of archaeometric methods in Peru. This article reviews their possible contribution to the study of pre-Hispanic pottery. It begins synthesizing the multiple aspects of pottery that can be studied with these methods. Then, it describes compositional analysis in provenance research, while outlining criteria for the selection of samples. It also compares mineralogical vs. chemical methods. To assist in handling compositional data, the article reviews statistical approaches to the identification of ceramic compositional groups and provenience. As a conclusion, it suggests how to identify a production center in light of geological and archaeological criteria.

Keywords

• pottery
• archaeometry
• compositional analysis
• provenance studies