PAST AND PRESENT IN QUEBRADA DE LA CUEVA, HUMAHUACA DEPARTMENT, JUJUY PROVINCE, ARGENTINA. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL FIELD WORK RESULTS

Abstract

This is a regional and interdisciplinary project where we consider that it is indispensable to count on the participation of the local communities for the recovery/preservation of the patrimonial value of the northern area of Quebrada de Humahuaca. The primary objective of this work is the study of pre-Hispanic settlements on the river basin of Quebrada de la Cueva and the relationship existing between the settlement location and the areas of agricultural production. Another objective is the creation of a museum to share the results and to understand the way of life and spirituality of the ancestors who inhabited the area, since we consider it is a valid way of recovering and reaffi rming the Ethnic Identity of the inhabitants. During the work carried out in 2006, we continued with the environmental studies, considering the topographic, climatic and vegetation characteristics in order to obtain an overview of the regional landscape (using aerial photographs and topographic maps, systematic and intensive prospection to identify other areas of human settlement and agricultural areas not yet located). A stratigraphic control excavation was performed at El Antiguito site and in Pukara de la Cueva, to carry out radiometric controls which allow us to indicate the chronological position of the surface materials of the already detected and known settlements. The analysis of the recovered materials is now in process. We had a fl uid dialogue with local communities, which resulted in the acknowledgement of previously signed agreements.