Tradición alfarera y chaîne opératoire de la cerámica Aguada Portezuelo, período Agroalfarero medio, provincia de Catamarca, Argentina: aportes al entendimiento de la especialización artesanal

Aguada Portezuelo pottery from northwestern Argentine region is characterized by its marked polychromy and its broad repertoire of finishing techniques, mainly involving the surface treatments and the decoration of the vessels. These vessels present positive and negative motives together with the presence of pre- and post-firing painting. This paper presents detailed information on the main technological features involved in their production. The concept of craft specialization is discussed and revised in relation to the ethnographic and ethnoarchaeological models proposed in the central Andes.