Alfarería y metalurgiacontribución del análisis arqueométrico para el estudio de los patrones de producción, distribución y consumo de cerámica en el suroeste de la Península Ibérica durante el III Milenio A.N.E.

Abstract

In order to evaluate the relationship between two complementary economic activities, pottery and metallurgy, we developed a theoretical and methodological approach for assessing the entire economic cycle of ceramic, from their procurement to consumption/use/discard, in three archaeological sites: Cabezo Juré (Alosno, Huelva), La Junta (Puebla de Guzmán, Huelva) and Valencina de la Concepción (Seville). . Methodologically, three complementary techniques from materials science were used: compositional analysis by ICP-MS and ICP-OES, petrographic analysis of ceramic thin-sections and mineralogical analysis by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). In specific cases, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with system of X-ray Energy Dispersive Microanalysis (EDS-SEM), electron microprobe analyser (EPMA) and porosity analysis were performed. The results of the investigation have revealed the existence of two autonomous models of economic and social organization of the pottery production in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula during the third millennium B.C.E. Specific data provided by Cabezo Juré and La Junta shows that the whole technological process was done at the local level, with a self-sufficient and expeditious production to meet the basic needs and where labour force never surpassed part-time intensity. The information available seems to indicate that pottery production would be an activity open to all community members and the access to raw materials would not be restricted, as part of the resources of the territory would be appropriated collectively. This means that this activity never reached levels of specialization and intensification and wasn�t organized under a technical and social division of labour. This economic and social model of pottery production seems to have been widespread in the Iberian Peninsula from the beginning of the production economy. In Valencina de la Concepción the analysis of the different operational sequences of pottery production have allowed to raise the possibility of the existence of an alternative economic and social model. Apparently, during the first half of the third millennium B.C.E. a technological tradition was consolidated in Valencina de la Concepción that involved the incorporation of new technical innovations. In response to increased consumption demand, the production units had adopted uniform production processes that are reflected in the preferential selection of raw materials, standardization profiles, standardized manufacturing process, surface treatment and firing. The analysis of pottery shows a slow and gradual trend towards greater standardization and specialization of production processes, due to greater investment of time, labour and resources in productive tasks, which caused homogenization of technical recipes, mainly in vessels of greater demand. The emergence of bell beaker pottery in ceramic assemblage doesn�t show a complete breakdown in relation to the utilitarian pottery since for its production the same areas of supply are used. However, the minor presence of bell beaker around Valencina de la Concepción leads us to consider that there was not such an intensive and full-time production but rather should be thought of as an extraordinary production, oriented exclusively for use in ceremonial moments. Its social value suggests that production has resulted from political and ideological mechanisms of control sponsored and managed by elites.