ARTE RUPESTRE Y COMPLEJIDAD SOCIAL DURANTE EL PERíODO INTERMEDIO TARDíO EN LA SUBREGIóN DEL RíO SALADO (NORTE DE CHILE)

we present the results of the study of several rock art sites assigned to the late intermediate period in the basin of the salado river (region of antofagasta, north of chile). iconographic and contextual analysis allows us to identify several stylistic modalities unique to this period. the characteristics of form and emplacement help us to elucidate the function of these motifs in relation to the profound social, economic and political changes relating to increasing social complexity that were occurring in the region during this period. we then consider the role of human agency, which is what ultimately gives rise to the variations observed in the modes of representation and stylistic modalities expressed.