Ceramic dating by Thermoluminiscence and Geological Study of Archaeological Raw-Material Source Areas

Succesful archaeological research today depends on two main aspects: close estimation of dates and source areas of the artifacts' rawmaterials. Thermoluminiscence techniques are used for dating Ecuatorian pottery. Mineralogic analysis of the vessels and geologic analysis of the clay's source areas permit to determine the extentand intensity of trade relations between this area, Mesoamerica and Central and Southern Andes. The subjects of this study were excavated in Real Alto and belong to the Valdivian culture, periods I-V (c.3800-2000 B.C.), those from San Lorenzo del Mate belong to the Valdivian (period VIII), Machadilla and Engoroy cultures (c. 2000-300B.C.), and the pieces from Peñón del Río date from the Valdivians' 8th period to the Spaniards' arrival (c. 2000 B.C.-1530).