A first approach to the knowledge of the pottery of santa eugenia rural historic site (renca, san luis province)

The results of the study of ceramics from an archaeological rescue of the Santa Eugenia site (Chacabuco Department, Province of San Luis) are presented. The relative chronologies place it in the 19th century. The main objectives were three: to recognize the technology and composition of the different pottery assemblages; to identify the potential functions to which they could have been destined; to determine the similarities with other regional productions. Also, evidence of change and continuity in the manufacturing processes was evaluated and interpreted. Finally, pottery attributes of relative chronology were analyzed to discuss the temporal scope of the site, and potential networks of mobility and regional interconnection were inferred. The methodology, both macroscopic and submacroscopic, involved morphological, decorative, manufacturing macro-trace and ceramic paste analyses. The results allowed us to identify a wide variability of designs of pieces that would have been mainly destined to domestic activities, a relatively homogeneous composition of raw materials and the use of elaboration strategies corresponding to pre-19th century, pre-Hispanic and colonial times. This work is the first contribution for the proposed area and temporality, with great utility for comparison with regional archaeological research, as well as for a future enhancement and preservation of local heritage.