VARIABILIDAD INTERNA EN EL ALFARERO TEMPRANO DEL CENTRO-SUR DE CHILE: EL COMPLEJO PITRéN EN EL VALLE CENTRAL DEL CAUTíN Y EL SECTOR LACUSTRE ANDINO

this article explores variability in early ceramic period in the south-central region of chile through a systematization and comparison of the archaeological record from the the middle cautín river valley and from the mountain lakes calafquén, villarrica and caburgua, along with evidence from other regions such as the coast and island ecosystems which permits a more integrated comprehensive approach. the archaeological complex is specifically defined through a comparative analysis of settlement types, attributes, and distribution, including ceramic and lithic evidence, and other material and biological markers. this approach emphasizes the historical sequence beginning with the archaic period during which groups ascribed to the pitrén complex appear, indicating new processes of social integration and new ceramic innovations found in the coast and inlands. recurrent early dates and other initial ceramic traditions are also discussed. the social structure of these early ceramic communities is defined as heterogeneous in light of their material spatial and temporal correlates. their relationship with the late ceramic reflects a variation in control mechanisms, decision making, and the constitution of social contexts with more or less occurrence of heterarchic dynamics. emphasis is placed on the need to employ approaches different from that of culture-history, which has dominated regional research for ceramic periods.