Publications
Cuentas minerales y circulación macrorregional en los Andes centro-sur durante el primer milenio d. C. Una mirada desde la quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina)
A study of 2,200 mineral beads from Tilcara, Argentina, reveals significant macroregional trade networks during the first millennium AD. The beads, primarily made of sodalite and turquoise with minor crisocola and jasper, show standardized morphologies and dimensions, suggesting organized production. This indicates high mobility of ornamental goods and strong connections between local populations in Jujuy and regions like Bolivia and northern Chile, aligning with broader trade circuits documented for Formative Period settlements.
Developing a collaborative research agenda for Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina
A collaborative research agenda for Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina—a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape—was developed to enhance its management and governance. This agenda, shaped through inclusive stakeholder engagement under the Heritage Place Lab initiative (2021–2022), identifies key conflicts, threats, and defining values of the site. By systematically analyzing these factors, researchers prioritized actionable research areas that address practical needs for long-term sustainability. The approach combines participatory methodology with systematic analysis to create a practice-driven framework, offering a model for improving governance in similar heritage properties.
Guerra, sufragios y caciques. Las transformaciones de los pueblos de indios de la Quebrada de Humahuaca en los inicios del Siglo XIX
Early 19th-century transformations in the indigenous communities of Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, were marked by shifts in power dynamics, militarization, and emerging citizenship processes. A key finding is the significant role of indigenous military participation during the wars of independence, which reshaped local governance structures and cacicazgos (chiefdoms). The study highlights how the implementation of suffrage further altered these relationships, reflecting broader societal changes. Using historical analysis, the research examines archival records to trace these transformations, offering insights into the complex interplay between war, politics, and indigenous autonomy during this pivotal period.
La Sociabilidad del Caminar en la Quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina)
In the rural areas of Quebrada de Humahuaca, walking emerges as a foundational practice that fosters unique forms of sociability. This study reveals that pedestrian mobility in the region is not merely a means of transportation but a catalyst for social interactions, shaped by shared corporeal experiences and intersubjective relationships. The research employs an existential phenomenological approach to explore how movement and bodily techniques influence these interactions, highlighting norms and values that govern both walking and social life. The findings underscore the importance of spatial context in defining sociability, offering insights into the cultural significance of mobility in the Andes meridionales.
Andean pre-Hispanic pottery forming 3D analysis: a pilot study from Quebrada de Humahuaca (Argentina) using digital methods
A pilot study using advanced digital methods reveals that paddling was likely employed to shape the body of a pre-Hispanic pottery vessel from Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina—a technique previously unrecognized in traditional pottery manufacturing in the region. Researchers analyzed a globular pot from the Pucara de Volcán site using 3D modeling via close-range photogrammetry and techniques like Morphological Residue Model (MRM) and Virtual Reflectance Transformation Imaging Visualization (V-RTI). These methods enhanced surface micro-topography visibility, identifying key macro-traces such as sub-circular depressions and horizontal pressure lines that correspond to paddling. The study also suggests coiling was used for the pot's collar. While the findings highlight the potential of digital techniques in pottery analysis, their accuracy depends on the precision of 3D models.
Dinámicas de desterritorialización y reterritorialización en Purmamarca, Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO: Quebrada de Humahuaca (Argentina)
UNESCO's designation of Argentina's Quebrada de Humahuaca as a World Heritage Site in 2003 triggered profound territorial transformations in the town of Purmamarca, marked by exponential growth in tourism infrastructure and a decline in residential space. This study reveals how these changes precipitated a process of precarization, prompting local residents to organize into indigenous communities to secure land rights, housing, and other entitlements. Researchers employed a multi-method approach, combining archival analysis, satellite imagery, fieldwork, photographic documentation, and interviews to trace the dynamics of desterritorialization and reterritorialization in Purmamarca.
Tecnología ósea en las nacientes de la Quebrada de Humahuaca
A unique bone instrument, potentially ornamental and crafted from an astragalus, has been identified in the upper reaches of Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina. This discovery, derived from a preliminary analysis of artifacts dating between 2000–960 years ago, marks the first report of such a specimen in the region. The study categorizes bone tools into six morphological and four functional types, providing new insights into the technological sophistication of late Holocene populations inhabiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Radiocarbon-dated stratigraphic layers from sites Antumpa, Cóndor II, and Casas Grandes Bajo underpin the chronological context of these findings.
«Patrimonialización invisibilizada». El caso de la Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina
A critical analysis reveals that the institutional discourse on food heritage, particularly in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Argentina's Quebrada de Humahuaca, often overlooks the complex interplay of local ecosystems, territorial histories, and economic developments. This study highlights how the 'patrimonialization' process in such sites can be invisibilized, failing to fully capture the multidimensional nature of food systems—spanning social, cultural, and economic dimensions. The research employs a qualitative approach, grounded in anthropological perspectives on food, to expose these gaps and advocate for more inclusive frameworks that recognize the nuanced realities shaping food heritage.
Planificación del hábitat, valorización inmueble y gentrificación en la Quebrada de Humahuaca. Estudio de caso en la localidad de Tilcara, Argentina
A recent study on the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentinareveals significant socio-environmental risks linked to rapid urbanization and gentrification, particularly in Tilcara. The research highlights how rising tourism and property values have displaced local populations towards peripheral areas with higher geomorfolical hazards. Analyzing data from 2004–2018 on tourism, economic activity, and real estate prices, the study underscores the urgent need for improved housing infrastructure, water management, and diversification of the local economy to reduce dependency on tourism. The findings also stress the necessity for state intervention amid post-pandemic economic challenges.
Secuencia cronológica de las ocupaciones prehispánicas del sector central de la Quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina)
A new chronological framework for pre-Hispanic occupations in the central sector of Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals complex patterns of change and continuity among local populations, including the presence of extralocal groups. By compiling all existing radiocarbon dates and analyzing architectural, settlement, and ceramic contexts, researchers identified five distinct periods that challenge traditional assumptions about temporal succession. Bayesian statistical modeling highlighted instances of contemporaneity between previously sequential phenomena, suggesting a more dynamic interaction between regional and external influences. This study provides a flexible, data-driven schema for future research rather than a definitive model.
Tendencias en el Consumo de Alimentos en las Sociedades Prehispánicas de Quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina)
A stable isotope analysis of human bone remains from Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals that maize (and/or amaranth) was the predominant dietary resource across three pre-Hispanic periods: Late Formative (500-900 AD), Regional Development Period (900-1430 AD), and Inca Period (1430-1536 AD). The study, which analyzed 41 individuals using carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotopic compositions, found no significant dietary shifts over time. Researchers employed a Bayesian mixing model to integrate isotopic data from modern plants and camelid fauna, providing insights into the agropastoral economies of these societies. This approach enhances our understanding of social and productive organization in the region.
When the Past Lives in the Present. Agrarian Landscapes and Historical Social Dynamics in the Southern Andes (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina)
A unique agrarian landscape in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals how past and present coexist through layered historical dynamics. Unlike other rural areas where successive productive systems replace earlier ones, this region's landscape shows a multi-temporal composition, with partial reuse of structures across distinct periods. Religious and cultural factors play a significant role in shaping these dynamics. The study used an interdisciplinary approach, combining remote sensing and fieldwork data to create a cartographic base identifying four principal landscape components corresponding to different historical phases. This research demonstrates that the agrarian landscape is not just a passive result of human activity but actively influences current productive and lifestyle decisions of peasant populations, offering new insights into the temporal articulation of Andean landscapes.
Los devenires de patrimonialización y el crecimiento del turismo: los conflictos en torno al desarrollo en la Quebrada de Humahuaca
The Quebrada de Humahuaca, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 for its cultural landscape, faces significant conflicts between heritage preservation, tourism growth, and regional development. The study reveals that while the designation aimed to boost economic opportunities through tourism, it also sparked tensions due to competing interests over land use and resource management. A socio-anthropological approach was used to analyze discourse around the inscription process, heritage valuation, and development narratives, drawing on primary and secondary sources. The findings highlight how heritage labeling can both empower communities and exacerbate inequalities if not managed equitably.
Materiales arqueológicos de la Colección Schuel de Quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina) en el National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian Institution)
A significant collection of archaeological materials from the Quebrada de Humahuaca, previously misrecorded as originating from Calilegua, has been identified within the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) at the Smithsonian Institution. This discovery clarifies that the artifacts were excavated by Karl Schuel between 1920 and 1923 in various sites along the Quebrada de Humahuaca. The study leverages an inventory maintained by Schuel, which matches objects from the NMAI collection, thereby correcting their provenance. Researchers also evaluate the potential of these materials to advance understanding of the late pre-Hispanic history (1000–1600 d.C.) of the region.
Metodología para la construcción del Inventario de Recursos Paisajísticos en la Quebrada de Humahuaca (Argentina), Patrimonio Mundial
A novel methodology for constructing an inventory of landscape resources in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, has been developed to address the urgent need for sustainable landscape management. This approach integrates data collection, evaluation, and georeferencing to systematically identify and protect key landscape elements. By providing a structured framework for recognizing and valuing the region's diverse resources, this study offers a critical tool for territorial planning and regulatory proposals. The methodology serves as a foundation for future conservation efforts, ensuring the long-term sustainability of this culturally and ecologically significant area.
Spatial and temporal analysis of debris flow occurrence in three adjacent basins of the western margin of Grande River: Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
A catastrophic debris flow event on January 10, 2017, in the Los Filtros basin of Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, resulted in severe damage and fatalities in the Volcán village, contrasting with minimal impacts in adjacent Coiruro and Del Medio basins. The study reveals that geological characteristics—such as Precambrian-age metaclastics, frost-weathered materials, and poorly consolidated Quaternary deposits—alongside basin morphometry (area, shape, relief, slope), were critical factors in the event's severity. The Melton ratio number was used to assess susceptibility to debris flows, highlighting spatial and temporal variations in landslide dynamics across the Central Andes. This research provides analytical methods for landslide prevention and risk management in similar arid mountainous regions.
Usos Productivos y Rituales de las Rutas Incaicas del Sector Central de la Quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina)
A high degree of Inka intervention and control characterized the Quebrada de Humahuaca, positioning it as a unique case of provincialism within the empire. The study reveals that transversal routes, which connected the central sector to other regions, were strategically adapted for intensive agricultural production and the crafting of luxury goods in Pucar de Tilcara. These routes also played a pivotal role in disseminating religious practices centered around worship at sacred sites (wakas). Functional, architectural, and spatial analyses of the road system, alongside the identification of tambos (rest stops or waystations), underscored their significance in facilitating resource exchange and reinforcing imperial control in this frontier region. The findings highlight the Quebrada de Humahuaca's role as a key node in the Inka network, despite its distance from the empire's core.
Valorización inmobiliaria regional y escenario post-COVID-19. El caso de la Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina
The Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, has experienced significant land value appreciation due to capital redirection toward real estate, exacerbated by high inflation and tourism growth following its UNESCO World Heritage designation. A multiscalar study analyzing property prices from 2004 to 2018 revealed that the region's economic transformation stems from investment-seeking refuge in stable assets, coupled with increased tourist demand. The research suggests that while the area's economy is heavily reliant on tourism—making it vulnerable to global crises—the post-COVID-19 scenario may see a decline in property values and economic depression, posing challenges for sustainable development.
Pre‐Hispanic Mortuary Practices in Quebrada de Humahuaca (North‐Western Argentina): Genetic Relatedness among Individuals Buried in the Same Grave
A genetic analysis of pre-Hispanic mortuary practices in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals high levels of kinship among individuals buried together. By examining autosomal and uniparental DNA markers from two archaeological sites dating to the Late Formative (1450–1050 BP) and Regional Developments I (1050–700 BP) periods, researchers identified strong maternal and paternal relatedness in collective graves. This suggests that such burials were likely reserved for close family members, providing new insights into the social significance of death in these ancient societies. The study's findings, though limited to two cases, underscore the potential of ancient DNA in reconstructing mortuary behaviors and familial structures in UNESCO-listed sites like Quebrada de Humahuaca.
The Maastrichtian–Danian Maimará tracksite (Yacoraite Formation, Salta Group), Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina: environments and ichnofacies implications
A significant discovery of dinosaur and other vertebrate tracks from the late Cretaceous to early Paleogene period (Maastrichtian–Danian) has been made in the Maimará tracksite, part of the Yacoraite Formation within Argentina's Quebrada de Humahuaca. This site provides critical insights into paleoenvironments and ichnofacies during a transitional phase marked by significant climatic and ecological changes. The research combines sedimentological analysis with detailed ichnological study to reconstruct the depositional conditions, trackmakers' behavior, and environmental dynamics of this region. The findings contribute to understanding the biodiversity and paleoecology of the Salta Group, offering new perspectives on the evolutionary history of vertebrates during a pivotal period in Earth's history.
Assembling ritual, the burden of the everyday: an exercise in relational ontology in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina
Ritual practices in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, are not isolated from everyday life but are deeply embedded within social performance and relational ontology. This challenges traditional dualistic views that separate ritual from common activities. The study employs a relational approach to ritual, emphasizing its role in social structures and bridging the gap between the sacred and the mundane. By analyzing contemporary archaeological contexts, it argues that ritual is an integral part of how societies perform and maintain their identities.
Genetic Diversity of a Late Prehispanic Group of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Northwestern Argentina
A late prehispanic group from the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Northwestern Argentina, exhibited significant genetic diversity with affinities to both Central Andean highlands and contemporary admixed Chaco communities. This suggests a complex evolutionary history shaped by regional interactions and demographic events such as the expansion of the Inca Empire and European colonization. The study analyzed DNA from 39 individuals dating to the Regional Development period (11th–15th centuries CE), revealing distinct maternal and paternal genetic lineages. Findings also indicate a geographical organization of prehispanic populations, divided between two spheres of interaction, aligning with craniometric evidence.
Violence indicators in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina: The Regional Development Period from a regional perspective
A high frequency of interpersonal violence-related trauma was identified among populations from Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, during the Late Regional Development Period (1250–1430 AD). Bioarchaeological analysis of 153 skulls from three sites—Los Amarillos, La Huerta, and Yacoraite—revealed that most injuries were antemortem, indicating survivors. Violence affected both men and women equally across age groups but varied geographically, with the highest trauma frequency at Yacoraite and trophy skulls predominantly found at La Huerta. Nonparametric statistical tests confirmed these differences, providing evidence of social conflict during this period.
Biofacies and palaeoenvironments of conodonts in Cambro‐Ordovician sequences of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Cordillera Oriental of Jujuy, Argentina
A study of conodont biofacies in the Santa Rosita Formation, Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals distinct palaeoenvironmental patterns linked to shallow and deeper water environments. Three biofacies were identified: Variabiloconus–Teridontus (unconstrained by environment), Utahconus–Acanthodus (associated with shallow-water sandstones), and Tilcarodus–Drepanoistodus (dominant in deeper siliciclastic lithofacies). The analysis suggests a nektobenthic lifestyle for Utahconus and Acanthodus, while other taxa exhibit pelagic adaptations. The faunal composition indicates a mix of Baltic, Laurentian, and endemic Gondwanan species, confirming the presence of an oceanic corridor facilitating faunal migration during the late Cambrian–early Ordovician.
Debris flood hazard documentation and mitigation on the Tilcara alluvial fan (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy province, North-West Argentina)
A recent study identifies debris flood hazards on the Tilcara alluvial fan in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, threatening urban areas and transportation routes. The research documents decadal debris floods triggered by the Huasamayo Stream, emphasizing the urgent need for hazard assessment and mitigation strategies to protect the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site from increasing vulnerability due to tourism and urbanization. The study proposes cost-effective solutions, such as constructing an upstream dam and artificial channel to divert floodwaters, using locally available technologies with minimal environmental impact. These measures aim to balance conservation efforts with safe exploitation for inhabitants and tourists.
Espacios rituales y cultura material en un sitio arqueológico Humahuaca- Inca (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina)
Archaeological evidence from the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals that Inca material culture persisted even during periods of Spanish influence. The study analyzed burial practices and mortuary offerings at Esquina de Huajra, a Humahuaca-Inca settlement, showing that secondary interments, ossuaries, and primary burials in vessels were common. Notable findings included the presence of bird crania and pigments (red, yellow, green, orange, and blue) among grave goods. This suggests that Inca lifestyle and social structures remained largely intact despite Spanish encroachment, indicating the resilience of preexisting interaction networks.
Estudio de Pigmentos en Alfarería Estilo Negro Sobre Rojo de Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
A groundbreaking analysis of pigments in the iconic 'Negro sobre Rojo' pottery style from Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, reveals significant insights into its technological attributes and chronological variability. Researchers employed a combination of advanced techniques—including optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy—to unravel the compositional intricacies of these artifacts. The study's multi-disciplinary approach, involving collaboration with various specialists, allowed for nuanced interpretations that shed light on the cultural and temporal dimensions of this archaeological tradition. These findings not only deepen our understanding of the region's ceramic practices but also highlight the potential of integrating diverse analytical methods to reconstruct historical narratives.
Ideología y espacio: conquista Inka en la quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
The Inka Empire's conquest of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina, was not merely driven by economic or logistical motivations but was deeply rooted in ideological and spatial strategies. This study reveals that the Inka imposed their worldview through the production and restructuring of socially constructed space, demonstrating a sophisticated process of domination. By analyzing the relationship between ideology and space, the research sheds light on how the Tawantinsuyu (Inka Empire) reshaped conquered territories, particularly at the La Huerta archaeological site. The findings challenge conventional explanations by emphasizing the role of spatial organization as a key component in social processes during conquest.
Técnicas Arqueométricas Combinadas Aplicadas al Análisis de Diseños de Alfarería "Tricolor" de Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
A combined application of archaeometric techniques has revealed significant insights into the design patterns of tricolor pottery from Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina. The study identified distinct stylistic elements and manufacturing processes that provide a deeper understanding of the cultural and technological practices of ancient societies in the region. By analyzing surface designs on ceramic fragments using advanced methods, researchers were able to trace the evolution of pottery styles and their potential symbolic or functional significance. This approach offers a novel way to interpret archaeological data, bridging gaps between material culture and historical context.
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