Crossing Ceramic Decoration Boundaries: Compositional and Morphological Analyses of the Mortuary Assemblage From Maridíaz (Nariño, Colombia)

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the interaction of two ware traditions in the Maridíaz mortuary assemblage (Pasto, Nariño, Colombia), a rare, well‐documented cemetery context in which Piartal, Tuza, and hybrid vessels co‐occur. Using portable X‐ray fluorescence ( n  = 39) and 3D geometric morphometrics ( n  = 25), we find shared ceramic compositions, supporting continuity in raw‐material selection and fabric preparation, whereas there are notable differences in the finishing stages of production across the wares (slips, pigments and finishing techniques). Morphological data demonstrate contrasting trends in intervessel and intravessel variation in vessels. Compositional and morphological data show that ‘hybrid’ vessels from Tomb 27 combine both ware traits in distinct ways. Together, these results refine the interactions of makers of both wares, suggesting the selective recombining of techniques rather than following one technological tradition wholesale, and with differential intravessel consistency occurring alongside sustained diversity among makers within a shared community of practice.