Idealized Bodies. Decorations and Postures in Pre-Hispanic Ceramic Figurines from Cauca Medio, Colombia ; Cuerpos idealizados. Decoraciones y posturas en figurinas cerámicas prehispánicas provenientes del Cauca Medio, Colombia ; Corps idéalisés. Décorations et postures de figurines en céramique préhispanique du Cauca Medio, Colombie ; Corpos idealizados. Enfeites e posições em figuras cerâmicas pré- hispânicas procedentes do Cauca Medio, Colômbia

At the arrival of the Spaniards, various ethnic groups populated the territory corresponding to the middle course of the Cauca river, however, archaeological studies are still scarce and we do not have enough insights on their way of life throughout different periods of occupation. Nevertheless, the recovered material wealth accounts for the sociocultural complexity of the groups that populated the area in pre-Hispanic times. Taking into account the above, this research seeks to contribute to studies on archaeology of the body in Colombia, based on an approach to the ways in which the populations of this region represented the body in human figurines made of ceramics. Patterns in the proportions, postures, decorations and body modifications of 87 figurines from regional museum collections were identified. From a frequency analysis of the selected variables, this article proposes that there was an intention to represent at least, three specific forms (tabloids, figurine-recipients, and statuette) with stereotyped postures. The highlight of the trunk and the emphasis given to the head is manifested in the detail of facial features, as well as in the presence of ornamentation. This selectivity in the presentation of body architecture suggests the importance of the head in the display of identity. It is concluded that the body occupied an essential place in the symbology of pre-Hispanic populations and human figurines were a mean of expression and representation, embodied idealized elements of collective and individual identity and are a valuable source of information to get a better knowledge on practices of body modification. ; A la llegada de los españoles, diversas etnias poblaban el territorio correspondiente a lo que hoy conocemos como Cauca Medio; sin embargo, los estudios arqueológicos siguen siendo escasos y no contamos con suficientes reconstrucciones de su modo de vida durante los diferentes periodos de ocupación. No obstante, la riqueza material recuperada da cuenta de la complejidad sociocultural de los ...