Abstract

PAEZ, Florencia N.; BERON, Mónica A.; LUCERO, Eliana N.  and  CARRERA AIZPITARTE, Manuel P.. Formal multiple mortar analysis located in Hill of the Viejos (Caleu Caleu department), La Pampa, Argentina. Rev. Mus. Antropol. [online]. 2020, vol.13, n.1, pp.95-104. ISSN 1852-060X.  http://dx.doi.org/http://doi.org/10.31048/1852.4826.v13.n1.23850.

Abstract The grinding activities of vegetables and minerals are widely documented in La Pampa province. The associated technology is transportable in nature. In this work the analysis of the first set of fixed multiple grinding artifacts detected in the province is presented. The presence of this type of materiality let us approach various topics related to the past societies, beyond the function that they specifically fulfilled. The high investment of work necessary to generate the fixed mortars and grinders, added to its long useful life, indicate an anticipated concern to modify and condition for future needs a place to which is expected to return successively. The set detected in Cerro de los Viejos comprises 11 mortars arranged in a central way, 2 grinder and some features associated with them. Various cultural manifestations were recorded in its surroundings, with different temporalities ranging from the Middle Holocene (ca. 6000 years) to historical times. Their presence could encourage the continued use of this place over time, by promoting feelings of appropriation of space by the groups that generated them and their descendants. In this work the morphological, typological aspects and their possible modes of use are considered in relation to the hunter-gatherer societies of the Pampean semi-desert.

Keywords : Multiple mortars; Hunter-gatherers; Functionality; Transgenerational; La Pampa.

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