One of the characteristics of the rock representations in Northern Calchaquí Valley is their abundance in the archaeological record in addition to the diversity in their location that place them both in towns as in special concentrations called “petroglyph fields”. In Cachi and La Poma departments, were identified numerous sites with petroglyphs among which a relevant characteristic is the degree of portability they present, a condition that would allow them to integrate heterogeneous material contexts. The objective of this presentation is to provide an updated record of petroglyphs corresponding to Formative contexts in the mentioned localities, as well as to discuss two main aspects. First, we analyze the anthropomorphic representations particularly focused on the execution of face, in order to articulate this iconography with other manifestations in the region. Second, as part of specific theoretical guidelines, we will discuss the probabilities that these portable representations could be part of ritual practices carried out in different areas and scenarios of daily life.
Keywords:
ritual, petroglyphs, iconography, portability, Northern Calchaqui Valley
Rivolta, M. C., & Cabral Ortiz, J. E. (2020). Moving stones: study on rock engravings in the villages of Cachi and La Poma (Salta, Argentina). Revista Chilena De Antropología, (42), 343–370. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-1472.2020.60496
