METALS IN THE CHILEAN DIAGUITA CULTURE (ca. 900-1536 AD): A METHODOLOGICAL AND INTERPRETATIVE APPROACH. This paper presents a characterization of 257 metal artifacts assigned to the Late Intermediate and Late periods (ca. 900-1536 AD) of the Diaguita culture of semiarid northern Chile. The results indicate metalwork focused on copper, or alloys with a high percentage of copper, manufactured by cold plastic deformation. A repertoire of 21 morphological categories is proposed, the most frequent of which are pre-Inca fishhooks and ornaments, especially rings, in the Late Period. On the basis of these results we discuss the impact of Inca rule on the manufacture and use of metals, such as their production and use, by the Diaguita population.