Abstract

GHEGGI, María Soledad  and  SELDES, Verónica. Bioarchaeological evidence of conflict in Quebrada de Humahuaca and Calchaquí Valley, ca. Ad 1000-1432. Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2012, vol.13, n.1, pp.103-115. ISSN 1850-373X.

This paper examines bioarchaeological evidence in order to study conflict among populations from Quebrada de Humahuaca and Valle Calchaquí ca. AD 1000-1432. Interpersonal violence is discussed in relation to current approaches that posit Andean societies as undergoing situations of actual violence, state insecurity, and ritual violence (tinkus). Premortem and perimortem fractures, trophy skulls, and cut marks were recorded among 423 crania from several archaeological sites from the regions under study. Trauma frequencies were compared by age and sex groups within and between geographical regions. When comparing trauma frequencies, non-parametrical statistical tests were used. It was observed that 13.95% of the sample showed traumatic lesions, with male and female individuals from Humahuaca the most affected. In contrast, male individuals from the Calchaquí Valley were more affected than women. Subadults were not affected, and frequency in traumatic lesions increased with age. These data are discussed within their cultural contexts and current archaeological evidence for both regions.

Keywords : Bioarchaeology; Trauma; Conflict; Northwestern Argentina.

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