Investigaciones recientes en la determinación de residuos de pipas arqueológicas de Chile Central

Abstract

In this study we analyzed the tar residues of smoking pipes found in Llolleo complex, La Granja. We demonstrate that Hairfield and Hairfield’s results, which shows the presence of some Ephedra species (E. sinica) on them are invalid; in first place because this plant doesn’t grow in the study site (where the pipes were found). Also, we demonstrate that only terpene type chemical compounds could be found after burning destruction (as it happens when smoking natural substances). To prove it, we burn Datura stramonium L. seeds in order to find tropane type alkaloids after; we do the same with Sophora macrocarpa seeds and Ephedra chilensis C. Presl leaves and stems to seek for isoquinoline alkaloids and Ephedra type protoalkaloids respectively. Results in all three cases were negative.