El abandono en las sociedades formativas del noroeste argentino : casos y discusión

Abstract

This chapter discusses the identification of material evidence related to practices of abandonment through the analysis and comparison of two specific casestudies. The sites of La Rinconada (Ambato Valley, Catamarca) and Alamito (Campodel Pucará, Catamarca) here examined, present archaeological contexts showing abandonment resulting from different historic and social backgrounds. Eventhough these sites differ in a number of ways, our ongoing research shows that specific practices related to their abandonment warrant comparison, particularly those related to the ritual closure of households, towns and/or territories. In this chapter we concentrate on the sacrifice of objects and places, the deposition of offerings, the ritual firing of structures, among other practices and features. The chapter seeks to encourage the discussion of the abandonment processes occurred during the Formative Period, with specific attention to their spatial and temporal dimensions, focusing on the following aspects: 1) spatial variations at intra-site, site, region or inter-region; 2) the time scale, referring to whether abandonment was gradual/abrupt and/or temporary/permanent; and 3) the mode of abandonment, particularly whether it was planned or unplanned, whether returns were expected or not, and what kinds of associated practices took place (e.g. closing ceremony, recovery, retreats, destruction, concealment, fire, etc.). We synthesize and review available information in order to explore the particular ways in which abandonment took place at various sites. In this way, we hope to contribute to a general framework for the analysis and interpretation of abandonment processes at a regional scale.