What contains my jar? Health and hygiene practices in Mendoza City from Pottery and Glass containers (end XIXth century- early XXth century)

Abstract

This work is part of investigations being carried out in the Centro de Investigaciones Ruinas de San Francisco, which since 1995 focuses in the urban archeology research for the city of Mendoza. We presented the integrated results of a joint study of historical ceramics and glass material from different archaeological sites Foundation Area of the city of Mendoza. This material allows to account various aspects of everyday life and social practices. In this case, the focus is on the activities of health, hygiene and personal care of the inhabitants of the city between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
In the archaeological record it is possible to recognize medicine bottles, cosmetics, syringes and other items that account for these activities. We worked with the advertising of local and national newspapers of the time as an indicator of how the audience it is addressed, the advertised properties of drugs, diseases and health practices / prevention. The information gathered deepens understanding of the role of the city in exchange circuits, provides understand differential access, use and reuse of these products by different social groups in urban space and behaviors in the treatment of waste in that stage.