Abstract

FEO, María Eugenia De; SORIA, Silvia Susana  and  TORCIVIA, Claudia Macoritto. LONG˗TERM OBSIDIAN CIRCULATION IN QUEBRADA DEL TORO (SALTA), NORTHWESTERN ARGENTINA. Comechingonia [online]. 2020, vol.24, n.3, pp.70-79. ISSN 1851-0027.

This paper describes the results of X˗ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses performed on 30 obsidian samples from Quebrada del Toro sites (Salta, Argentina) covering a time span of about 2,000 years of occupation (ca. 2500˗500 BP). After establishing the provenance of the samples, we discuss the distribution patterns of this raw material between different sites and periods considered. The obtained results allow us to argue a relatively sustained use in time of the Alto Tocomar, Laguna Blanca-Zapaleri and Ona-Las Cuevas deposits (although the latter is absent for an interval of around 500 years), and some temporal variations in the use of minor sources. These results provide information to discuss the access and consumption of obsidians in a long-term perspective. These practices are reviewed under the framework of change processes occurred in the studied chronological range, which is characterized by important transformations in the socio-political and economical systems.

Keywords : obsidian,X˗ray fluorescence,pre˗Hispanic occupation; Argentine Northwest.