Pottery production and consumption in the Andean-Amazonian frontier in southwestern Colombia (2500-500 BP)

Summary

The circulation of goods and knowledge between Amazonian and Andean societies from southwestern Colombia have been understood as pivotal for the development of political hierarchies in the region since 2500 BP. However, such circulation has not been supported by solid empirical evidence. By using neutron activation data we document pottery production, distribution and consumption in a frontier region between Andean and Amazonian groups. Ceramic samples were obtained from a systematic regional survey in four valleys in the Caquetá River basin: Valle de las Papas, Santa Rosa, Descanse and Yunguillo. The compositional analysis of clay provides evidence of intra and interregional exchange of utilitarian and prestige pottery goods. Even though pottery production was mainly local, there was some movement between the valleys. There is no strong evidence for the consumption of foreign pottery; therefore the long established idea emphasizing a solid interaction sphere between Andean and Amazonian groups must be reconsidered for this region.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Ceramics of the Indigenous Peoples of South America: Studies of Production and Exchange using INAA

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