Coarse vessels in the burials of Lerma Valley (Salta province)

Abstract

Since the earliest XXth century, many questions appearedregarding the cultural origin of adult burials in big coarse vessels in the Lerma Valley. It hasbeen proposed that this practice could be related to the arrival of Guaraní ethnic groups, which connected Lerma with the Eastern areas. Others suggested a connection with the Candelaria pottery tradition, and, as regards its chronology, these burials were considered to be present during the Regional Developments and Inca Periods. Despite surveys conducted in the area, these burials could not be associated with contemporary human settlements. In this paper, a comparative analysis of the ceramic vessels and their distribution is presented, including information on the position, depth, and associations with others items. A preliminary analysis of human remains is made public, as well as a radio-carbon dating obtained from a mortuary context rescued by the Museo de Antropología de Salta.