Chemical and Mineralogical Characterization of Ceramic Traditions on the Precolonial Colombian Middle Orinoco Archaeological Sites

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Ceramic Petrographers in the Americas: Recent Research and Methodological Advances" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The “Cotúa Reflexive Archaeology Project” (2015–2018) directed by José R. Oliver (UCL, UK) included a ceramic research analysis in the Venezuelan Middle Orinoco area, specifically in three archaeological sites of the Átures Rapids region, to identify trading and interaction process in precolonial ceramic materials. As a result of this study, a chronological occupation model was proposed, based on new radiocarbon data and the definition of new ceramic complexes in the area (Lozada-Mendieta 2020). Between 2021 and 2023, new archaeological sites in the Middle Orinoco area have been found on the Colombian side bank as part of the “Ancient Potters of the Upper and Middle Orinoco Project” funded by Universidad de Los Andes (Colombia). This poster will present the result of the analysis on new ceramic materials from a systematic surface on open area sites and rock shelters associated with rock art and burials. A sample from 15 sites was analyzed using macro trace, petrography, and portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The results were compared with the ceramic complexes developed for the Venezuelan side, revealing common ceramic fabrics and new paste recipes and vessel forms, most likely related to newly identified funerary traditions and postcontact communities.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Ceramic Petrographers in the Americas: Recent Research and Methodological Advances   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39085.0