Late Chronology in Hualfín Valley (Catamarca, Argentina): A Revision from 14C Dating

This article addresses chronological problems about archaeological sites traditionally associated with the Belén culture from Hualfín Valley (Catamarca, Argentina), analyzing background research, radiocarbon dates obtained by A Rex González before 1970, and 14C dates made since 1996. First, we criti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inRadiocarbon Vol. 59; no. 1; pp. 91 - 107
Main Authors Wynveldt, Federico, Balesta, Bárbara, Iucci, María Emilia, Valencia, Celeste, Lorenzo, Gabriela
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.02.2017
Subjects
Archaeology
Architecture
Bayesian analysis
Charcoal
Chronology
Dating techniques
Historic sites
Measurement methods
Occupation
Argentina
Belén phases
Late chronology
14C dating
Hualfín Valley
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Summary:This article addresses chronological problems about archaeological sites traditionally associated with the Belén culture from Hualfín Valley (Catamarca, Argentina), analyzing background research, radiocarbon dates obtained by A Rex González before 1970, and 14C dates made since 1996. First, we critically review the chronological sequence built by González for Belén sites, which include the Late period (AD 1100–1480) and Inca period (AD 1480–1536), subdivided into three phases. Methodological problems that could affect results of the first 14C dates are discussed. Based on this review, we present new 14C dating considering extraction contexts, types of samples, calibration curve data used, the laboratory where each date was obtained, and their methods of measuring, characteristics of sites of origin, and associated archaeological material. Finally, using calibrated ranges and Bayesian models, we suggest groups of events that would correspond to different times in the history of late occupations in the valley.
ISSN:0033-8222
1945-5755
DOI:10.1017/RDC.2016.114