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Technology, life histories and circulation of gold objects during the Middle Period (AD 400–1000): A perspective from the Atacama Desert, Chile

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Article

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Authors

Martinon-Torres, Marcos  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2124-2837

Abstract

Studies of archaeological goldwork in the Americas are increasingly revealing a rich variety of context-specific ways in which gold items were produced and valued, but research attention has largely focused on visually striking artefacts. However, in the south-central Andes, goldwork is described essentially as a ‘sheet technology’ – a definition that tends to downplay the potential complexity and cultural significance of this technology in such an extensive and varied region. Here we employ a life-history approach to explore the existence of particular traditions within this large area. We present chemical and microscopic analyses, using pXRF, SEM-EDS, PIXE and digital microscopy, of 142 gold and silver objects from San Pedro de Atacama (northern Chile), recovered in seven cemeteries dated to the Middle Period (AD 400–1000). Our results reveal a heterogeneous assemblage where compositions, techniques, designs and skill levels vary, suggesting that gold artefacts circulated and were imported from different areas of the south-central Andes, such as Tiwanaku, Cochabamba and northwest Argentina. We also identify for the first time two distinct technological traditions used in San Pedro: small-scale goldwork production, and a tradition of modifying and reusing imported objects by cutting, perforating, and separating object parts. Considering the depositional contexts, we propose that the funerary ritual at San Pedro was a key factor in the development of this local goldwork. Our research demonstrates that even small and unimpressive artefacts can be successfully interrogated from archaeological perspectives with integrative approaches that go beyond overly generalising perspectives of gold as an exotic status marker .

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Keywords

Journal Title

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1866-9557
1866-9565

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer
Sponsorship
European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) ERC (101021480)
This project was funded thanks to the Chilean Government and ANID Becas Chile Doctorado; FONDECYT and ANID projects 11130651, 1160849 and 3200229; UCL Institute of Archaeology Awards; and The Coghlan Bequest funding of the Historical Metallurgy Society. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support by the Access to Research Infrastructures activity in the 7th Framework Programme of the EU (CHARISMA Grant Agreement n. 228330) and the assistance of Benoit Mille and Quentin Lemasson (C2RMF). The write-up of this research was supported by funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant agreement No. 101021480, Project REVERSEACTION)