First approach to vegetable microremains present in pottery and lithic artifacts of LRV11 and EP1 sites, Ambato Valley, Aatamarca, Argentina

Abstract

This work shows the results obtained from the vegetable microremains analyzes (phytoliths, and starches.) carried out on ceramic and lithic artifacts, from the archaeological sites Los Varela Recinto 11 and El Polear 1, located in the Ambato Valley, Catamarca, Argentina. Although this type of study has been carried out systematically in different regions of the Argentine Northwest, the truth is that most have focused mainly on grinding instruments, with fewer analyzes on ceramic material. In total, 27 samples (21 ceramic fragments and 6 lithic artifacts) were examined, with the main objective of establishing a possible relationship between ceramic classes, vessel shapes and their use. The results obtained allowed the identification of remains of maize (Zea mays) and carob (Prosopis sp.) in ceramic material and maize in lithic. Although this work is preliminary, the information obtained, integrated with results derived from previous investigations, allow us to propose, at least for the moment, that maize played a central role in Aguada of Ambato during the first millennium of our era.