CARACTERIZACIÓN ARQUEOMÉTRICA Y TECNOLOGÍA DE PRODUCCIÓN DE CERÁMICA VIDRIADA DE MENDOZA

Abstract

In this paper, a contribution to the archaeometric characterization of colonial pottery of Mendoza province is introduced. It is carried out by microscopic analysis of paste (petrographic) and surface treatments (SEM), and by microanalysis (EDS) of the composition of glazes. It is proposed to investigate aspects of colonial local production regarding to raw materials provenance, production areas and the skills involved. The results of these analyzes would located the probable sources in the northwest and central west of Mendoza province. On the other hand, from the technological point of view, some features of the operating sequence (crushed of non plastic inclusions, handmade and wheel modeling, glaze applying and two different firings) are identified and discussed. These data, together with data provided by other archaeological studies and by historical documentation, allow proposing a revision of the “Carrascal” type as the only colonial pottery class of Mendoza, considering the variety of technical resources used in multiple production centers throughout time.

Keywords

• colonial pottery
• technology
• petrography
• electron microscopy
• glazed