Exploring the Function of Cerro Narrío: XRF for a Raw Material Analysis in Ceramic Production

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2025: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The archaeological site Cerro Narrío (2000 BC - 400 AD) housed one of the societies that influenced southern Ecuador. Its settlers established significant long distance commercial relationships with diverse areas of the Septentrional Andes. In order to understand the relationship of this group with the surrounding areas, this research seek to answer the following question: Does the pottery from Cerro Narrío constitute an example of local or foreign production? Based upon the material excavated by Delgado (2008), a mineralogical ceramic analysis will be conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRF) contrasting the compounds with the minerals in Cañar province. Furthermore, the methodological approach to be used will include artisanal production, due to its capability to dilucidated interrelated factors such as production degree and intensity. The main objective is to determine if Cerro Narrío not only functioned as a ceramic distribution center, or rather as a production center. Therefore, combining ceramic productive modes in relation with the development of social complexity in Cerro Narrío. To conclude, the results of this analysis will provide a better understanding of the importance and function of the site during the Formative period.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• SAA 2025: Individual Abstracts

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 51726