Late Variants with «Three Colors» in Santa Maria Pottery from Yocavil, Argentinean Northwest. Contributions to a Regional Style Chronology

Abstract

Based on the work with archaeological collections from different museums, we present a set of Santa María «three colors» (black and red on white) ceramics, very late exponents of the Santa María Tradition from the Yocavil region in the Argentinean Northwest. Some of those ceramics are unique or very rare; others have the same patterns and allow us to recognize variants with very consistent characteristics. The description includes a comparison that establishes contrasts with Santa Maria «tricolor» classic variants, typical of earlier times of this style production. The observation of the pattern in the application of the red paint and its tones helps to delineate criteria for the identification of these Santa María variants, both in complete pieces and fragmentary sets, allowing its use as a valuable chronological indicator.