Este estudio presenta la primera caracterización geoquímica sistemática de cerámica shipibo-conibo e iskonawa en la cuenca del río Ucayali (Amazonía peruana) mediante fluorescencia de rayos X portátil (pXRF). Se analizaron 76 mediciones sobre 30 contenedores asociados a la producción y consumo de masato, considerando pastas, engobes y pigmentos. Los resultados, procesados mediante análisis de componentes principales (PCA) y agrupamiento euclidiano, evidencian agrupaciones geoquímicas coherentes con sectores hidrogeomorfológicos (Bajo, Medio y Alto Ucayali, así como Utuquinía). Los elementos traza manganeso (Mn), estroncio (Sr) y zirconio (Zr) emergen como indicadores clave de procedencia y tecnología. Se propone un modelo interpretativo que integra procesos sedimentarios, edafogenéticos y mineralógicos, el cual sugiere un conocimiento empírico sofisticado en la selección de materias primas y da sentido a las redes de interacción regional en la circulación de arcillas y pigmentos registradas etnográficamente.

Abstract

This study presents the first systematic geochemical characterization of Shipibo-Conibo and Iskonawa pottery in the Ucayali River basin (Peruvian Amazon) using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). A total of 76 measurements were analyzed on 30 containers associated with the production and consumption of masato, including clays, engobes, and pigments. The results, processed using principal component analysis (PCA) and Euclidean clustering, reveal geochemical clusters consistent with hydrogeomorphological sectors (Lower, Middle, and Upper Ucayali, as well as Utuquinia). The trace elements manganese (Mn), strontium (Sr), and zirconium (Zr) emerge as key indicators of provenance and technology. An interpretive model is proposed that integrates sedimentary, edaphogenic, and mineralogical processes. This model suggests sophisticated empirical knowledge in the selection of raw materials and provides insight into the ethnographically documented regional networks of interaction in the circulation of clays and pigments.

Procedencia geoquímica, tecnología alfarera, análisis multivariado, elementos traza, interacción tecnológica, río Ucayali, Alta Amazonía, Perú.

Recibido: 23/5/2026. Aceptado: 14/7/2026. Publicado: 10/8/2026.

Aguirre, N.; E. Ruiz; N.M. Panduro-Tenazoa; F. García; R. Alburqueque; W. Ortega; Z.R. Manrique; J.C. Yon; M.R. Yon; R. Olano; J.A. Reátegui; R. Gamarra; M.A. Buendia; J.R. Mondragon; A.E. Pérez. 2026. Análisis geoquímico (pXRF) de cerámica etnográfica y arqueológica de la cuenca media del río Ucayali, Alta Amazonía del Perú. Arqueología Iberoamericana 58: 31-40.

PURL: purl.org/aia/5804. ARK: ark:49934/424, ark:49934/424.

Este trabajo interdisciplinar y colaborativo es parte de las actividades del grupo de investigación GIAMAR-UNIA y del proyecto 2025-2026 «Procesos fermentativos del masato de yuca (Manihot esculenta) a partir de tecnologías tradicionales de la cuenca del Ucayali, Perú. Implicancias socioculturales, sanitarias, nutricionales y su potencial biotecnológico y productivo-comercial con sello de origen Ucayali-Amazonía». Agradecemos en especial a Martín Ccorisapra R. y a Freddy Zevallos S. por la acogida en el Museo Kené de Yarinacocha y por posibilitar el trabajo con parte de la colección de cerámica del museo.

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