The present article discusses scenarios of collective closure of archaeological sites and inquires on practices of intentional destruction of material culture. By recognizing the social value of destruction practices, our theoretical framework distances itself from a ‘production ontology’, which considers social life is based on the transformation of matter into ‘useful’ objects. Destruction is understood as an objectifying, dynamic and creative process within a network of social practices. In this sense, the contexts of abandonment observed at La Rinconada (Ambato, Catamarca, Argentina) are stimulating. The evidence of fires, burnt and collapsed dwellings, and great variety of fragmented materials are among the most common findings at the site. We have developed methodologies oriented towards distinguishing ceramic breakage processes before site abandonment. With this purpose at hand, we analyse the thermal-alteration, fragmentation and dispersion of potsherds, and integrate experimental and contextual evidence. Our results help to define the selective sacrifice and offerings of artefacts, which falls in line with our hypothesis that the site was deliberately destroyed as part of a closing ritual. They also allow understanding the role and magnitude of the deliberate destruction of objects in abandonment processes, and their effect on site formation.
Keywords:
abandonment, destruction, ceramics, Northest Argentina, La Rinconada
Gordillo Besalú, I., & Vindrola-Padrós, B. (2020). No return. Broken subjects/objects. Revista Chilena De Antropología, (42), 260–289. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-1472.2020.60493
