Technological study of the “La Paya” ceramic collection from Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera, Russia)

Abstract

The Calchaquí Valley archaeological complex presents numerous Santamariana-Calchaquí ceramics of varied production techniques, shapes, and painted decoration. The most frequent ceramic containers are bowls, so widely spread that they were used for manufacturing complex shapes (burial urns, asymmetric pots, and libation vessels). The technological analysis of La Paya vessels and their replication through experimentation allowed us to identify traditional technologies specific to the Calchaquí Valley pottery production, such as the usage of molds. According to ethnographic collections, South and North American cultures created different vessels using organic materials, such as baskets. Analysis of ceramic container surfaces showed that baskets may have served as molds to manufacture some of the bowls belonging to the Santamariana-Calchaquí stylistic tradition.

Keywords

• argentine northwest
• calchaquí valley
• late period
• pottery
• mold
• basketry
• archaeological experimentation