Pyrotechnical installation

One structure ([A03-842], Figure 4-8) was identified in the course of the 2003 survey that appears to be of colonial period construction and it appears to have some kind of pyrotechnical function (B. Owen 2006, pers. comm.). The structure has two doors in the lower area, apparently providing access to the lower furnace. The internal lower construction is built of thermally altered stones and has a cracked lintel. A variety of pyrotechnical structures are known in the south-central Andes (Van Buren and Mills 2005) that were used to heat lead, silver, or copper, and other oven types (e.g., pottery, bread) are known in the region as well. Slag or other evidence of smelting was not encountered in the soils adjacent to the structure, however, although the building is immediately adjacent to a stream channel and such materials may be eroded or difficult to detect.

Figure 4-8. Exterior and interior of probable colonial pyrotechnical structure at Achacota near Pulpera, upstream and south of Callalli [A03-842]. One meter of exposed tape is visible in each image.