Revisiting the Correlation Between the Valdivia and San Pedro Ceramic Complexes (Based on Technological Characteristics)
A. N. Popov,
J. G. Marcos,
I. S. Zhushchikhovskaya,
A. A. Lazina,
B. V. Lazin,
Y. Kanomata,
A. N. Fedorets,
T. A. Emelyanova https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2024.52.2.037-046
Abstract
This article presents the results of a study of ceramics associated with the Valdivia and San Pedro complexes at the Real Alto site, southwestern Ecuador. The test sample, studied in 2022, includes fragments of vessels from two morphological and functional groups, relating to the first two phases of the Valdivia culture (bowls and pots) and those representing the San Pedro complex (vessels with necks and a bowl). A comparative analysis was based on identified technological indicators marking various stages of pottery manufacture. Certain differences are seen in the composition of paste and in the hand-shaping of the vessels. Significant differences were revealed in surface treatment and decoration. This is evidenced by the use of colored and plain coating, high-quality solid or matte striped polishing, and complexity of decoration. Distinctive features of firing include the use of different kilns and various atmospheric modes. Parallels include broadly similar firing temperatures. The technological difference between the two morphological and functional groups of the Valdivia complex is that bowls were manufactured with more complex and labor-consuming techniques, whereas pots are technologically somewhat similar to those from San Pedro. Radiocarbon dates (4640–4450 BP) suggest that the two traditions coexisted. Differences may reflect their cultural distinctness.
Keywords
Supporting agencies: This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Project No. 22-28-00059.
About the Authors
A. N. Popov
Far Eastern Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Director, Educational and Scientific Museum
Ayaks 10, Russky Island, Vladivostok, 690922
J. G. Marcos
Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral
Ecuador
Ecuador
Professor
Campus Gustavo Galindo Velasco, Guayaquil, EC-090150, Ecuador
I. S. Zhushchikhovskaya
Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography of the Peoples of the Far East, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leading Researcher
Pushkinskaya 89, Vladivostok, 690001
A. A. Lazina
Far Eastern Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Chief Specialist, Educational and Scientific Museum
Ayaks 10, Russky Island, Vladivostok, 690922
B. V. Lazin
Far Eastern Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Senior Researcher, Educational and Scientific Museum
Ayaks 10, Russky Island, Vladivostok, 690922
Y. Kanomata
Tohoku University
Japan
Japan
Associate Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Letters
Kawauchi 27-1, Aoba ward, Sendai, 980-8576, Japan
A. N. Fedorets
Far Eastern Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Senior Lecturer
Ayaks 10, Russky Island, Vladivostok, 690922
T. A. Emelyanova
Pacific Oceanological Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leading Researcher
Baltiyskaya 43, Vladivostok, 690041
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Review
For citations:
Popov A.N., Marcos J.G., Zhushchikhovskaya I.S., Lazina A.A., Lazin B.V., Kanomata Y., Fedorets A.N., Emelyanova T.A. Revisiting the Correlation Between the Valdivia and San Pedro Ceramic Complexes (Based on Technological Characteristics). Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia. 2024;52(2):37-46. https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2024.52.2.037-046
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