From Clay to Pots: A Petrographical Analysis of Ceramic Production in the Callejón de Huaylas, North-Central Andes, Peru

At the cross-roads of ethnoarchaeology and ceramic studies, this article investigates the compositional relationship between the different constituents of ceramic paste. The question related to provenance and technical studies is how one can recognize the different raw materials in the ceramic, when both are soils. The context of study is the ceramic production of three potters of the Callejon de Huaylas in the Peruvian Andes. Detailed petrographical analysis of unfired earths, and of the pot produced, shows mineral differences between the raw materials. These can be identified within the ceramic fragment. Variability in granulometry and composition is introduced during the manufacturing process as a result of the preparation and mixing of the constituents. Differences between manufacturing centres and clay sources are even more obvious with X-ray fluorescence analysis. The different raw materials used can be identified in the pot if raw materials are sampled around the centre of production. Analysis of traditional ceramics is essential in appreciating ceramic technology and its influence upon the mineral and chemical composition of ceramic paste. This will enable a richer analysis of prehistoric ceramic production and distribution.