Abstract

FLENSBORG, G  and  WAGNER, C. Cuentas vítreas asociadas a entierros humanos en el curso inferior del río Colorado (transición pampeanopatagónica oriental). Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2015, vol.16, n.3, pp.481-489. ISSN 1850-373X.

The aim of this paper is to introduce the results of the morphological, microstructural and chemical analyses of the glass beads recovered from two archaeological sites from the lower course of the Colorado River, which constitutes the first record of this kind of evidence in the study area. Twelve beads of different colors and morphology associated with human burials from El Remo and Ducca sites were analyzed. Infrared Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction were performed to determine the chemical composition and the raw material in four beads. Both assays revealed that the material is vitreous in origin, with the presence of some type of pigment. In addition, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was carried out on four other beads. On the basis of their recorded attributes (e.g., color and morphology) and chronology it is proposed that these materials correspond to Venetian beads. Finally, a comparison with other sites from Pampa, Patagonia, and Cuyo reveals spatial and temporal trends in the distribution of such material culture and its relationship to post-contact cultural developments.

Keywords : Glass beads; Human burials; Post-hispanic; Eastern Pampa-Patagonian transition.

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