Abstract

In this paper we study the ceramic material from the archaeological villages of the Tarapacá region, located in the high ravines, the low valleys, and the coast to the west and east of Pampa del Tamarugal. Our objective is to do a systematic review of earlier studies by ourselves and by other investigators of domestic pottery in the region, to update knowledge about the culture history and social processes related to the still poorly known Pica Tarapacá cultural complex of northen Chile. We propose that this cultural complex developed during the Late Intermediate Period in at least two phases, initial and classic, that we have named Tarapacá Phase (ca. A.D. 900-1,250) and Camiña Phase (ca. A.D. 1,250-1,450), respectively. We propose a local pottery tradition that began toward the end of the Formative Period and then, in the absence of Tiwanaku stylistic influences, incorporated new elements from the southern altiplano. This was the panorama that dominated the region when the Inka arrived. This work is intended to contribute with greater empirical evidence to the discussion about social dynamics and economic interaction between lowlands and highlands of this part of the South Central Andes during the Regional Developments of the Late Intermediate Period.