Non‐visible aspects of ceramics: Archaeological science approaches in Andean pottery studies

Abstract This article examines the history of the application of archaeological science in studies of pre‐Hispanic pottery from the Andes, South America, through academic publications from the 1960s to the present. It details the questions addressed by, analytical tools used for and theoretical underpinnings of investigations into provenance and technology. Two case studies from this literature review illustrate how taking an archaeological science approach to provenance and technology contributes to our understanding of broader socio‐cultural issues. The results underscore the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary approach and highlight significant regional differences in research focus and methodology. The results also emphasize the need for transdisciplinary work and a critical assessment of archaeometric techniques.