Lo que el tiempo se llevó: reflexiones teórico-prácticas sobre el uso de morteros prehispánicos desde los llanos riojanos

For years, and until today, cavities in non-movable rocks called mortars have been the subject of various studies that sought to answer questions regarding their functionality and their relevance as materiality for everyday use. Such investigations have been exhaustive and have provided a wealth of fundamental information for archaeological understanding, delving into physical-chemical and spatial studies. However, in a significant number of cases they have focused on answering questions related to its functionality. Such orientation has obscured the approach towards other conceptualizations, generating defined lines of work. In this contribution I will explore, after evaluating the background, the concept of function from a framework that takes into account “the apparent” (or the manifest) and “the latent” in the collective use of mortars. Incorporating this conceptualization, I hope to delve into the multi-agency nature of such materialities, as elements that fulfill various functions at the same time, since these are not organized according to a hierarchical logic, but rather coexist and complement each other in the link with other beings, both humans and non-humans. To illustrate, I will use a brief example from the Rioja plains, a territory that has more than 5,000 mortar cavities, whose function is still being discussed.