THE INCA OCCUPATION IN THE RATONES BASIN, PUNA OF SALTA, ARGENTINA. FIRST APPROACHES TO THE ANALYSIS OF THE CERAMIC OF THE SITES CUEVA INCA VIEJO AND ABRA DE MINAS

The present work is a first approach to the analysis of the ceramics of the Ratones basin. Puna of Salta, north-western Argentina. The objective of this paper is to contribute to the study of the Inca expansion in the region and, more specifically, in the highlands of the Puna. The analyzed sample comes from the sites Cueva Inca Viejo and Abra de Minas, which show indicators of human occupation, mainly in the Late pre-Inca and Inca periods. The archaeological evidence recorded so far suggests that the intense occupation of Tawantinsuyu in the study area would be linked to turquoise mining. Additionally, a set of indicators where ceremonial architecture stands out,emphasizes the role played by ritual practices. In this context, the analysis of ceramics contributes to understanding the nature and impact of imperial expansion in the Ratones basin, mainly in relation to the organization of mining activitiesand the use of rituals as a strategy for a more effective domination.