Ceramic Production and Exchange in the Chavín Heartland: An Archaeometric Study from Canchas Uckro (1100-800 BCE), Ancash, Perú

Canchas Uckro is one of several small-scale settlements surrounding the ceremonial and urban center of Chavín de Huántar (c. 1100 − 400 BCE). In this paper, we explore the relationship between these two sites through an archaeometric study of pottery production at Canchas Uckro (c. 1100 − 800 BCE). Specifically, we combine portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and thin-section petrography to characterize technological style in a sample of 56 sherds. Our analyses identified 12 distinct petrographic groups, with most of the pottery (85% of the assemblage) reflecting two local technological styles. Among these local materials are several vessels featuring zone-hatching, which were previously thought to be imported from the eastern highlands or upper Amazon. A small percentage of ceramic fine wares representing both geochemical and technological outliers (2–4%) point to probable inter-regional exchange, while a larger group of undecorated ceramics (~ 10%) suggest more frequent intra-regional interactions. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that Canchas Uckro's ceramic production was independent of Chavín de Huántar, with its inhabitants participating in distinct networks of intra- and interregional exchange likely involving the movement of people, ceramics, technological practices, and ideas.