Pre-Hispanic Mining in the Northwestern Argentina: Turquoise, Hammers and Anvils in the Ratones Basin, Puna of Salta
This work presents various indicators of pre-Hispanic mining in the Ratones basin, Puna of Salta, Northwestern Argentina, mainly from the late pre-Inca and Inca times. The record related to the exploitation of turquoise in a source of this mineral located in Inca Viejo is studied. In this framework,...
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| Autores principales: | , |
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| Formato: | Artículo revista |
| Lenguaje: | Español |
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Centro de Estudios Históricos. UA CONICET
2023
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| Acceso en línea: | https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/comechingonia/article/view/39700 |
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| Sumario: | This work presents various indicators of pre-Hispanic mining in the Ratones basin, Puna of Salta, Northwestern Argentina, mainly from the late pre-Inca and Inca times. The record related to the exploitation of turquoise in a source of this mineral located in Inca Viejo is studied. In this framework, mining artifacts from this source and from an Inca enclave called Abra de Minas, located nearby, are analyzed. Specifically, a high frequency of fragments of turquoise and other copper minerals have been recovered at the Cueva Inca Viejo site, the main mine in the area. Beads and preforms made of turquoise were also recorded. Likewise, both in Inca Viejo and Abra de Minas, hammers and anvils of different sizes used as stone tools for extractive and processing work were found. These instruments represent important evidence for the study of pre-Hispanic mining contexts in Northwestern Argentina. At the same time, in association with these contexts, the presence of other indicators linked to symbolic/ritual aspects is recognized, mainly from the expansion of the Tawantinsuyu in the area. |
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