Metalurgia prehispánica en las sociedades costeras del norte de Chile (quebrada Mamilla, Tocopilla)

we present direct and indirect evidences of metallurgical activities by hunter-gatherer and fishers populations of the arid coast of northern chile during late intermediate and late periods. we discuss these evidences and propose the existence of a local metallurgical tradition with particular characteristics for the coastal societies in this region. this tradition complements current knowledge about the use and significance of metals in the andes.