This concoction is hot, but my hand is not!: A possible function of annular rings on p’uku-like vessels in the Central Coast of Peru during the Late Intermediate period and a conjectural link to Andean traditional medicine

Summary

In this paper I explore the possible function of the annular rings on p’uku-like ceramic vessels from the Central Coast of Peru during the Late Intermediate period. I argue that this part of the vessel is not decorative as others have suggested for modern contexts. Instead, I hypothesize that the annular ring at the bottom of the p’uku-like vessel’s function was to buffer the hand from heat. Alternatively, the annular ring might have aided in adding stability to a standing vessels in shaky grounds—the Central Coast of Peru is prone to frequent seismic activity. I develop a methodology to test such scenarios and test it on replicated p’uku-like vessels. Test confirm that the annual ring efficiently prevents the consumer form burning their hands while holding a hot-content vessel. Also, to a lesser degree, the annular ring aid the vessel from spilling over when free standing. Possible hot-content for the vessels include (a) medicinal remedies, (b) hot foods, and/or (c) hot beverages—these possibilities however, at the moment, are conjuncture; they remain to be demonstrated by residue analysis of the vessels themselves.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

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