This study examines the geography of ethnoarchaeological research as represented in indexed scholarly publications through a bibliometric analysis of works containing the term "ethnoarchaeology" in their title, abstract, or keywords between 1977 and 2026. Based on a dataset of 747 publications identified in Scopus, the study combines spatial mapping with analyses of author affiliations and collaboration patterns to explore where ethnoarchaeological research is conducted and where it is institutionally produced. The results show a progressive expansion of research locations from an initially limited set of regions to a more widely distributed pattern. At the same time, affiliation networks reveal persistent asymmetries between the geography of fieldwork and that of knowledge production, with many studies conducted in Africa, Asia, and Latin America linked to institutions in North America and Europe. These findings highlight both the continued vitality of ethnoarchaeology and the role of scholarly communication structures in shaping its development. Este estudio examina la geograf & iacute;a de la investigaci & oacute;n etnoarqueol & oacute;gica tal como se representa en publicaciones acad & eacute;micas indexadas mediante un an & aacute;lisis bibliom & eacute;trico de trabajos que contienen el t & eacute;rmino "ethnoarchaeology" en el t & iacute;tulo, resumen o palabras clave entre 1977 y 2026. Basado en un conjunto de 747 publicaciones identificadas en Scopus, combina cartograf & iacute;a espacial con an & aacute;lisis de afiliaciones institucionales y patrones de colaboraci & oacute;n para explorar d & oacute;nde se realiza la investigaci & oacute;n y d & oacute;nde se produce institucionalmente. Los resultados muestran una expansi & oacute;n progresiva de las & aacute;reas de estudio, desde un conjunto inicial de regiones limitadas hacia una distribuci & oacute;n m & aacute;s amplia. Al mismo tiempo, las redes de afiliaci & oacute;n revelan asimetr & iacute;as persistentes entre la geograf & iacute;a del trabajo de campo y la producci & oacute;n de conocimiento, con numerosos estudios realizados en & Aacute;frica, Asia y Am & eacute;rica Latina vinculados a instituciones en Am & eacute;rica del Norte y Europa. Estos resultados destacan tanto la vitalidad de la etnoarqueolog & iacute;a como el papel de las estructuras de comunicaci & oacute;n cient & iacute;fica. Cette & eacute;tude examine la g & eacute;ographie de la recherche ethnoarch & eacute;ologique telle qu'elle est repr & eacute;sent & eacute;e dans les publications scientifiques index & eacute;es, & agrave; travers une analyse bibliom & eacute;trique de travaux contenant le terme & laquo; ethnoarchaeology & raquo; dans leur titre, r & eacute;sum & eacute; ou mots-cl & eacute;s entre 1977 et 2026. Fond & eacute;e sur un corpus de 747 publications identifi & eacute;es dans Scopus, l'& eacute;tude combine cartographie spatiale et analyse des affiliations institutionnelles ainsi que des r & eacute;seaux de collaboration afin d'explorer o & ugrave; la recherche est men & eacute;e et o & ugrave; elle est produite institutionnellement. Les r & eacute;sultats montrent une expansion progressive des zones d'& eacute;tude, passant d'un ensemble initial de r & eacute;gions limit & eacute;es & agrave; une distribution plus large. Parall & egrave;lement, les r & eacute;seaux d'affiliation r & eacute;v & egrave;lent des asym & eacute;tries persistantes entre la g & eacute;ographie du terrain et la production du savoir, de nombreuses & eacute;tudes men & eacute;es en Afrique, en Asie et en Am & eacute;rique latine & eacute;tant associ & eacute;es & agrave; des institutions situ & eacute;es en Am & eacute;rique du Nord et en Europe. Ces r & eacute;sultats soulignent & agrave; la fois la vitalit & eacute; de l'ethnoarch & eacute;ologie et le r & ocirc;le des structures de communication scientifique.
Large ceremonial houses are a widespread architectural form across the lowlands of South America, where they are central to diverse ritual practices. Among Guaran & iacute;-speaking peoples, one such practice is the male initiation rite kunumi pepy, in which the lower lip is pierced with a tembeta (labret) as a marker of social adulthood. This article examines the & oacute;ga guasu, a large ceremonial house constructed by the Pat Tavyter & atilde; of eastern Paraguay specifically for this ritual. It analyses its embedded cosmological geography and archaeological visibility. The & oacute;ga guasu operates simultaneously as a ritual stage and as a material expression of social and cosmological order. Detailed ethnographic documentation of the kunumi pepy demonstrates the intertwining of materiality, cosmology, and social reproduction. This study also highlights how ritual architecture shapes the archaeological record and illustrates how materiality, cosmology, and social reproduction intersect in the life of Indigenous societies in South American lowlands.
This article presents the results of participatory research on Indigenous mound building technology in the Pantanal region of South America. In the Pantanal, the Guat & oacute; people maintain a long-standing tradition of constructing aterros (earthworks) used as foundations for houses, agricultural fields, and burials. In July 2025, under the direction of Guat & oacute; leader Louren & ccedil;o Pereira Leite, we built a new section of the Caminho do Peixe mound along the Paraguai River in Mato Grosso, Brazil. During the construction we recorded volumetric data, oral histories, and documented the resulting mound with drone-mounted LiDAR. These data allow us to estimate the work hours required to build archaeological earth mounds in the region and to examine the social and cultural dimensions of Guat & oacute; mound building. We argue that the complexity of this 5000-year-old tradition has been underestimated in archaeology and must be fully recognized to understand the deep Indigenous history of the Pantanal.
Studies of late prehispanic architecture in the Andes have generally focused on rectangular and circular structures associated with the Inka Empire. Meanwhile, the architecture of non-Inka populations spans a remarkable diversity of non-orthogonal structures, implicating varied roof designs and construction techniques. This study addresses a gap in knowledge on architectural traditions through collaboration with the community of Huama (Lamay District). Specifically, the replicative construction of a wankar wasi (drum-shaped house) presented herein draws on traditional knowledge developed in Huama over the course of many generations. We also applied Mobile Laser Scanning to visualize and analyze the resultant structure. These data facilitate analogy between contemporary practices and the archaeological record to understand the materials, knowledge, and relationships engaged by prehispanic builders, with the objective of reconstructing local cooperation and resilience of under state occupation. Moreover, this research celebrates local heritage while illuminating the technological choices implicated in construction, past and present.
Caribou Inuit year-round settlement and land use along the Kazan River, ca. 1800-1960, in the Canadian Arctic are examined in the archaeological record of cultural features. A river reach, where the Harvaqtuurmiut (a Caribou Inuit society) lived and hunted caribou at crossings, has features that are scattered on slopes as well as concentrated at crossings. This study considers the relationship between different kinds (classes) of features, independently of larger sites, and their elevation in a continency table using binomial probabilities. Analysis suggests that the placement of two feature classes, inuksuit (standing stones) and hearths - common on upper slopes and hilltops and scarce along lower slopes and river flats - is sensitive to elevation. Tent rings, caches, and hunting blinds are associated with lower slopes and areas adjacent to the river. Reasons for these findings are considered, and three sites where these findings are contradicted are examined.
Investigating the factors that drove hominin stone tool selection and manufacture is central to understanding human and technological evolution. Lower Paleolithic hominins engaged in cutting tasks with differing precision. Different tools might have been less precise and thus avoided for certain tasks. We experimentally tested whether precision exerted a functional demand on Lower Paleolithic tool forms. Flakes and two differently sized sets of handaxes were tested in cutting tasks with differing precision levels. No significant differences were detected. This suggests that cutting precision, as measured here, would not have exerted differing selective pressures. Furthermore, this demonstrates a greater "precision cost" is not automatically invoked when using handaxes, potentially highlighting why they were a favored technology across broad geographic and temporal swathes. However, "precision" is potentially a threshold variable, only invoked in specific cutting behaviors or materials. Our results highlight the importance of future experiments that measure and define precision differently.
To acquire a robust picture of Andean labor, this research used the skeletal evidence of labor (i.e. osteoarthritis (OA) and entheseal changes (EC)) during Tiwanaku times, modern ethnographic interviews with Indigenous Aymara people, and computer-aided motion capture (mocap). The focus was on understanding patterns of activity and comparing these deceased individuals' labors to modern Aymara traditional tasks. The skeletal remains, ethnographic evidence, and mocap of traditional activities showed that intense labors, such as farming or craft production, begin in pre-teen years. Results also revealed that many of the modern tools used are the same as those used over a thousand years ago. EC "chopping" motion was also correlated to drop spindle yarn production. Back pain was discussed in regards to spinal OA, linked to both performing strenuous tasks and advancing age. Laborers from the past and present can answer questions about gendered labor and the importance of Indigenous expert knowledge.
Single-piece bone fishhooks and gorges have been recovered archaeologically from several coastal settlements from the Late Mesolithic Erteb & oslash;lle culture (5400-4000 cal BCE) in northern Europe. However, little is known about the fishing techniques and other implements associated with their use. This article presents the results of experiments carried out during the summer of 2019. Replicas of Erteb & oslash;lle fishhooks from selected settlements were made and tested in different fishing contexts to assess how they function and which techniques work best, and to consider the broader implications for the people who used them. Cooperation with present-day fishermen was decisive in the success of this experiment.
This study examines an ethnographic personal ornament from New Guinea by applying archaeological methods to create a typology and reference collection for archaeological and ethnographic Nassarius shell beads. The methods employed include morphometry, traceology, and experimental replication of Nassarius shell beads. Replication involved removing the shell's body whorl on the dorsal surface for flattening and perforating the columellar callus on the ventral surface. This research provides a better understanding of the techniques used to modify these shells, the formulation of hypotheses concerning taxonomy and geographical origin of the shells, and identification of group differences in techniques. Despite a probable long period of use, only a few, inconclusive use-wear traces could be detected. This could be explained as the effect of the beads having been immobilized by firm attachment within a band of fiber strings. This study also sheds light on the sociocultural function of an important body ornament.
This article presents a synthesis of research on the cha & icirc;ne op & eacute;ratoire of ceramic production at Cerro de Oro (550-950 CE), a significant archaeological site on the southern Peruvian coast. Specifically, we discuss the association of ceramic paste recipes (clays and added tempers), vessel forms, and decoration within a residential compound to consider the organization of ceramic production. To do so, this study integrates new data with previous results obtained from M & ouml;ssbauer spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and other studies of ceramics from the same and other compounds. The objective is to see if specific forms, decorations, or groups of people may be associated with certain paste recipes. We argue that identifying the absence or presence of these types of associations will allow us to better understand ceramic production at Cerro de Oro and particularly the role residential groups played in this process. Este art & iacute;culo presenta una s & iacute;ntesis sobre la cadena operativa involucrada en la producci & oacute;n de cer & aacute;mica en Cerro de Oro (550-950 NE), un importante asentamiento arqueol & oacute;gico en la costa sur del Per & uacute;. Espec & iacute;ficamente discutimos la relaci & oacute;n entre recetas cer & aacute;micas (arcillas y temperantes), formas de vasija y decoraci & oacute;n, para estudiar la producci & oacute;n cer & aacute;mica en un complejo residencial. Con este objetivo, se integra nueva informaci & oacute;n a resultados previamente obtenidos utilizando las t & eacute;cnicas de espectroscop & iacute;a M & ouml;ssbauer y difracci & oacute;n de rayos x, as & iacute; como la identificaci & oacute;n de formas y decoraciones de cer & aacute;micas de este y otros complejos residenciales. La intenci & oacute;n es identificar si ciertas pastas fueron producidas para formas o decoraciones espec & iacute;ficas, o si ciertos grupos pueden ser asociados con ciertas recetas. Proponemos que identificar la presencia o ausencia de estas vinculaciones nos permitir & aacute; entender mejor la producci & oacute;n cer & aacute;mica en Cerro de Oro, y particularmente el rol que jugaron los grupos residenciales en este proceso.
Lost-wax casting is a metallurgical technology that emerged independently in several regions of the ancient world. This general process is well understood, but less attention has been paid to variability in the particular methods, materials, and techniques utilized across cultures through time. Studies of this variability, and the reasoning behind it, can deepen our understanding of ancient technology, but also lead to a host of cultural insights. This article reports the results of a replication experiment that evaluates the hypothesis that ceramic molds were utilized to make casting cores for lost-wax casting at Tututepec (Yucu Dzaa), a Late Postclassic (1100-1522 CE) Mixtec capital in Oaxaca, Mexico. This study builds on previous experiments, ethnohistoric records, and archaeological fieldwork at Tututepec. The results support the proposed use of the molds, which probably facilitated a more economic use of gold and the production of higher quality and more standardized products. La fundici & oacute;n a la cera perdida es una tecnolog & iacute;a metal & uacute;rgica que surgi & oacute; de forma independiente en varias regiones del mundo antiguo. Este proceso est & aacute; bien estudiado, sin embargo, se ha prestado menos atenci & oacute;n a la variabilidad en los m & eacute;todos, materiales y t & eacute;cnicas utilizados en todas las culturas a lo largo del tiempo. Los estudios de esta variabilidad, y el razonamiento detr & aacute;s de ella, pueden profundizar nuestra comprensi & oacute;n de la tecnolog & iacute;a antigua y ideas culturales. Este art & iacute;culo reporta los resultados de un experimento de replicaci & oacute;n que eval & uacute;a la hip & oacute;tesis de que los moldes cer & aacute;micos fueron utilizados para hacer n & uacute;cleos internos para el proceso de fundici & oacute;n a la cera perdida en Tututepec (Yucu Dzaa), capital mixteca del Poscl & aacute;sico Tard & iacute;o (1100-1522 CE) en Oaxaca, M & eacute;xico. Los resultados apoyan el uso propuesto de los moldes, que probablemente facilit & oacute; la explotaci & oacute;n econ & oacute;mica del oro y la producci & oacute;n de productos m & aacute;s estandarizados y de mayor calidad.
This study investigates technical traditions of pottery production at two archaeological sites, Picure (ca. 310-1480 CE) and Rabo de Cochino (ca. 100 BCE-1440 CE), in the Middle Orinoco River region near the Colombia-Venezuela border. The cha & icirc;nes op & eacute;ratoires of multiple technical traditions are reconstructed. Petrographic, geochemical, and macrotrace analyses distinguish local from non-local production and identify hybridized technical traditions possibly associated with multiethnic communities. Non-local ceramics are identified based on raw materials and manufacturing techniques, providing evidence of precolonial Indigenous exchange relationships. At the same time, monoethnic and multiethnic communities produced and consumed ethnically distinctive wares as well as hybrid wares. Previous studies have interpreted the co-occurrence of multiple ceramic styles in the regional archaeological sequence as evidence of precolonial exchange or different vessel functions, but rarely as a development of multiethnic co-residence. Therefore, this study advances the knowledge and understanding of Indigenous history in this region, based on this methodology. Este estudio investiga las tradiciones t & eacute;cnicas de producci & oacute;n cer & aacute;mica en dos sitios arqueol & oacute;gicos, Picure (ca.310-1480 EC) y Rabo de Cochino (ca. 100 AEC-1440 EC), en la regi & oacute;n del Medio Orinoco, frontera entre Colombia y Venezuela. Las cadenas operatorias de m & uacute;ltiples tradiciones t & eacute;cnicas son reconstruidas. An & aacute;lisis petrogr & aacute;ficos, geoqu & iacute;micos y de macro-trazas permiten distinguir producciones locales y no-locales e identificar tradiciones t & eacute;cnicas hibridas posiblemente asociadas con comunidades multi & eacute;tnicas. Cer & aacute;micas no-locales son identificadas a partir de materias primas y t & eacute;cnicas de manufactura, lo que prueba intercambios entre ind & iacute;genas en el periodo precolonial. Asimismo, comunidades mono y multi & eacute;tnicas producen y consumen cer & aacute;micas & eacute;tnicamente distintivas e hibridas. Estudios previos han interpretado la co-ocurrencia de tipos cer & aacute;micos en la secuencia arqueol & oacute;gica regional como evidencia de intercambios o dediferentes funciones, pero rara vez como producto de co-residencia multi & eacute;tnica. As & iacute;, este estudio avanza el conocimiento y comprensi & oacute;n de la historia ind & iacute;gena de esta regi & oacute;n, basado en esta metodolog & iacute;a.
This study aims to identify the nature and degree of state control over the production of Inka-style pottery used in political commensalism in the upper-middle basin of Aconcagua Valley during the Late Period (1400-1536 CE). Sherds from Inka-style flared-rim jar (maka) and shallow plate forms are compared to local styles from the Late Intermediate Period (1000-1400 CE), Diaguita, and new non-Inka Late Period ceramic manifestations. The potsherds are characterized technologically through macrotrace analysis, thin-section petrography, and geochemical and mineralogical analyses (pXRF, mu -XRD2). This demonstrates continuities in ceramic production, such as the use of common local raw materials and vessel construction by coiling, both before and during the Inka rule. It also reveals innovations, including new finishing techniques, changes in firing atmosphere control, and pigment recipes. The significance of these findings is discussed in terms of the influence of the Inka, possible foreign specialists (Diaguitas), and local agencies on ceramic production. Este estudio busca identificar la naturaleza y grado de control estatal sobre la producci & oacute;n de cer & aacute;mica de estilo Inka, usado en actividades de comensalismo pol & iacute;tico, en la cuenca media-alta del valle del Aconcagua durante el Per & iacute;odo Tard & iacute;o (1400-1536 CE). Fragmentos de jarros de boca acampanada (makas) y platos bajos de estilo Inka son comparados con estilos locales del Per & iacute;odo Intermedio Tard & iacute;o (1000-1400 CE), Diaguita y cer & aacute;mica tard & iacute;a no Inka siendo caracterizados tecnol & oacute;gicamente a trav & eacute;s de macro-trazas, petrograf & iacute;a de secci & oacute;n delgada, an & aacute;lisis geoqu & iacute;micos y mineral & oacute;gicos (FRXp, mu -DRX2). Se demuestra continuidades en producci & oacute;n cer & aacute;mica, con uso de materias primas locales y modelado por rodetes antes y durante el dominio Inka. Tambi & eacute;n revela innovaciones, incluyendo nuevas t & eacute;cnicas de acabado, cambios en control de atm & oacute;sfera de cocci & oacute;n, y recetas de pigmentos negros. Las significancias de estos hallazgos se discuten en t & eacute;rminos de influencia Inka, posibles especialistas for & aacute;neos (Diaguitas), y agencias locales en producci & oacute;n cer & aacute;mica.
