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The objectives of this work are to present a set of methodological procedures to analyse commingled bone assemblages (e.g. secondary burials), in order to build the mortality profile of the Paso Alsina 1 site and discuss the obtained age at death distribution in a context of hunter-gatherer populations that inhabited the eastern Pampa-Patagonia transition (Argentina) during the Final Late Holocene. The Paso Alsina 1 site is a formal disposal area of inhumations composed by multiple secondary burials dated at ca. 500 14C years BP. The site is comprised of a minimum number of 77 individuals, represented by both sexes and all age categories. The mortality profile is characterized by a bimodal pattern with a peak of greater representation of individuals younger than 3 years and another comprising the range between 20 and 34.9 years old. These results are discussed in relation to the paleopathological information available for the site, indicating that individuals suffered mainly disruptions in growth and development by systemic stress. The mortality profile obtained suggests that this skeletal series would not have formed as a result of a catastrophic event. On the contrary, it is an atricionalmortality profile, consisting of individuals who died at different times and places and for varied reasons. Later, skeletal remains were grouped into secondary bundles and simultaneously buried at the site. Bodymanipulation and secondary burials are common in the context of a social reorganization that occurred in the area and in neighbouring regions during the Final Late Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper provides a detailed analysis of thorn lesions found in lower limb elements of a modern osteological collection of guanaco ( Lama guanicoe). Four types of lesions were recorded: (1) thorns visible on the bone surface, (2) bony reaction with relief, (3) small negative scars and (4) medium negative scars. The methods used to recognise, record and quantify these lesions are presented. As a result, 35 of the 36 individuals analyzed contained one or more types of lesions. The highest concentrations of lesions were recorded on the anterior view of the metacarpal shafts. All the age ranges were affected by lesions; however, individuals between the ages of 1 and 3 years were the most affected, whereas those between the ages of 0 and 1 year contained the least amount of lesions. To provide examples of how thorn lesions can be identified and used as a paleoenvironmental proxy in the fossil record, we analyzed two archaeological sites from different phytogeographic provinces: Bajo de la Quinta (Monte phytogeographic province) and Calera (Pampa phytogeographic province). Results found that 25% of the elements from the Bajo de la Quinta site contained lesions, whereas none of the elements from the Calera site showed evidence of lesions. When detectable in the fossil record, thorn lesions can provide an indirect approximation of the paleoenvironment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcaneus fractures are scarcely reported in archaeological assemblages worldwide. The main goal of this paper is to present a study case related to a calcaneus fracture and a set of bone lesions recorded in an adult individual dated in the Middle Holocene (ca. 6000-3000 years BP). This individual was part of a hunter-gatherer society that inhabited the eastern Pampa-Patagonian transition (lower basin of Colorado river, Argentina). The individual was recovered at Tres Bonetes 1 site (TB1-E1). The causes of the injury and the stress it could have had generated in the individual are discussed. Macroscopic analysis and radiographic images were carried out and several bone alterations were detected (27.1%; 19/70). The lesions were located in the right ankle joint linked to an intra-articular calcaneus fracture. The main cause may have been a fall from height. The remodeled new bone formation indicates that the individual survived the stress event, but several sectors of the skeleton (e.g., spine, shoulders) were affected. The original morphological structure of the calcaneus was not restored and probably caused joint instability that affected the biomechanical behavior of the ankle. The individual must have suffered acute and severe pain and need help, care and assistance from other people., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Studies on population genetics have become highly relevant for understanding the evolutionary history of human settlement in southern South America. The eastern Pampa-Patagonia transition is an area that stands out due to its complex population dynamics, especially during the last about 1,000 years BP. The aim of this work is to characterize the maternal lineages of individuals buried in the Paso Alsina 1 archaeological site (ca. 500 years BP) through the analysis of mitochondrial genetic variability, in order to discuss the population models previously proposed for the southern cone of South America., Methods: Mitochondrial HyperVariable Region I sequences were analyzed on teeth belonging to 20 adult individuals. Statistical analyses were carried out to compare the interpopulation and intrapopulation molecular variability between the results obtained in this work and those previously published data from pre-Hispanic human groups. D1 haplotype network was constructed drawing from data on ancient and extant population group samples., Results: Thirteen sequences (65%) were obtained from the 20 analyzed samples. The maternal lineages or subhaplogroups identified were D1g (69.24%), C1 (15.38%), D1 (7.69%), and D1j (7.69%). There was low haplotype variability within the site; some individuals could be matrilineally related., Discussion: The subhaplogroups registered in Paso Alsina 1 site are in accordance with those reported for ancient and contemporary Patagonian populations. The results suggest that an initial nucleus of individuals carrying mostly subhaplogroup D1g settled in northern Patagonia, from which local diversity of this matrilineage could have arisen. The existence of gene flow in the final late Holocene with groups from Northern Andean Patagonia, as well as from Central Argentina, is proposed. The D1j variant probably developed in the latter region., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Osteomyelitis was frequent in prehistoric times, although its paleopathological recognition and analysis in skeletal remains is typically incomplete. Contrasting with osteomyelitis in children, in adults it is usually a subacute or chronic infection that develops secondary to an open injury. The aim of this paper is to present a case of osteomyelitis in an adult female skeleton, from a hunter-gatherer population that inhabited the eastern Pampa-Patagonian transition (Argentina) during Final Late Holocene (ca. 250 years BP). Macroscopic studies as well as biplanar radiographs and CT scans were used for diagnosis. Lamellar bone formations on the diaphysis and in the interior of the marrow cavity were recorded. Also, a lytic lesion was identified in CT images. The diagnostic procedures and the probable causes that could generate the lesions in the long bones of the lower limb are discussed. The lesions are consistent with osteomyelitis secondary to a contiguous focus of infection, possibly linked to the abscess in the maxillary bone., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Research on animal paleopathology has significantly grown in the field of zooarchaeology during the last years. Usually bone lesions have been associated to specific activities carried out by animals. However, the etiology and prevalence of many bone abnormalities are still uncertain due to the scarcity of studies in modern reference collections. The aim of this study is to determine the postcranial skeletal lesions that characterize a population of wild camelids and to differentiate bone lesions related to human management of camelids. For this purpose, we analyze the health status of a modern collection of guanaco by recording a series of indicators and its manifestation in different anatomical units. The osteological sample comprises 54 guanacos from Cinco Chañares, San Antonio department, Rio Negro province, Argentina. The frequency of lesions by anatomical unit, sex, and age were studied in order to generate parameters for comparison with other samples of contemporary camelids and with zooarchaeological record. The analyzed sample is characterized by infectious, traumatic, degenerative and congenital abnormalities in low prevalence. The most common pathologies were degenerative origin. These were significantly more frequent among senile adults, and were differentiated of the ones registered among domestic camelids., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)