Integrative proposal for the study of the use of plants with psychoactive properties in ceramic pipes on the early ceramic period and its social implications

Authors

  • María Teresa Planella O. Sociedad Chilena de Arqueología. El Amacai 505, Las Condes, Santiago
  • Carolina Belmar P. Universidad Internacional SEK. Arrieta 1000, Peñalolén, Santiago
  • Luciana Quiroz L. Universidad de Chile. Lota 2538 Dpto. 22, Providencia
  • Daniela Estévez G. Santa Elena 875, Santiago

Abstract

Th is is a new comprehensive approximation to the study of the act of smoking, incorporating the investigation of the social aspects of smoking and the selection of plants through the collection of direct and indirect information. Ethnohistoric and ethnographic documents were consulted, and we obtained direct evidence through the application of recovery techniques and the analysis of microfossils contained in the residues found in pipes from archaeological sites in the northern semi-arid, central and southern Chile. Furthermore, the social operational chain involved in the action of smoking is an important part of this study, as is reaching wider conclusions, reason for which a new approach has been proposed with the object of understanding the defi nition of Smoking Complex.The preliminary results support this study, with the observation of the differential depositation in the chambers and pipes/mouthpieces (cultural depositation) and sediment (natural depositation). In turn, the study differentiates various categories of microfossils and highlights the presence of starches with characteristics that may be attributed to Nicotiana spp. As a part of this proposal, the sequence of social contents linked to the act of smoking is explained and graphically shownas an operational model.Diccionario    

Keywords:

Smoking pipes, Microfossils, Smoking Complex, Early Ceramic Period