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The study of early lithic assemblages from South America's Southern Cone used to be strongly focused on projectile points, including the famed fishtail type, often using a typological approach. The last three decades have seen a growing diversification of theoretical and methodological approaches to lithic studies, as well as new analytical techniques, used to study issues including lithic production systems, technical variability, tool manufacturing and management, raw material economy and circulation, among others. Recent studies on lithic industries are exemplified by discussing Southernmost Patagonia's first human occupations, dated ∼13,000 cal BP, and Middle Holocene early marine explorations, dated ∼8000–7000 cal BP. An overview and comparison of Southernmost Patagonia's early hunter-gatherer lithic technologies is made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultima Esperanza is a region known worldwide, where some of the best preserved remains of late Pleistocene ground sloths were found. Cueva del Milodón produced a large piece of Mylodon darwini skin in 1895 as well as extensive deposits of ground sloth dung that were sampled several times during the 20th Century. These deposits are dated within 13,500 and 10,200 radiocarbon years. At Cueva del Medio, not far from Cueva del Milodón, evidence of human exploitation of extinct fauna was discovered. Also, at nearby Dos Herraduras rockshelter, several ground sloth elements were found within a tephra layer regionally dated ca. 12,600 BP. This paper presents new data derived from stratigraphic work at Cueva Chica, a site located near Cueva del Milodón, which in spite of its obvious potential was not studied previously. The work revealed more than one layer of Late Pleistocene fauna, where remains of ground sloth, a large felid and other species were preserved. Radiocarbon studies produced some of the oldest evidence for the presence of Mylodon sp. in the region. The integration of these results within the context of the paleoecology of Late Pleistocene Ultima Esperanza is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Late glacial – Holocene palaeoecological record, constrained by a robust chronology, from a peat bog near Punta Burslem (54°54′S, 67°57′W) on Isla Navarino, southernmost Patagonia documents the shifts in intensity and focus of the Southern Westerly Winds (SWWs) at these high latitudes. Such long-term records are required to reconstruct and better understand the likely regional impacts of a poleward shift and intensification of the SWWs predicted under global warming scenarios. Deglaciation at Punta Burslem occurs sometime before c. 17,000 cal a BP, and the post glacial landscape is dominated by cold tolerant pioneer species. Nothofagus woodland is established by c. 12,250 cal a BP, this moisture sensitive vegetation type retreats in the early to mid-Holocene from c. 9700 to 7050 cal a BP reflecting an intense and sustained drier phase associated with a prolonged poleward contraction of the SWWs. After c. 6000 cal a BP there is a regional trend to cooler and wetter climate. However, we identify at least five periods of rapid climate change (RCC) leading to drier conditions at this southern extreme of Patagonia: c. 5350-4750 cal a BP, c.4300-3300 cal a BP, c. 2600-1850 cal a BP, c. 1350-1100 cal a BP and c. 550-350 cal a BP. From a synthesis of our Isla Navarino records and a latitudinal spread (34°-64°S) of multiproxy records it is proposed that these periods of RCC and relatively drier conditions indicate latitudinal shifts in the location and intensity of the SWWs in response to climatic warming leading to reduced precipitation at the southern margins of Patagonia. • A new Late glacial-Holocene palaeoenvironmental record from Isla Navarino. • Sustained drier period during the early Holocene between c.9.7 and c. 6.0 ka. • Increased humidity punctuated by drier periods during the mid-to late-Holocene. • A latitudinal synthesis of records from ∼34° to 64°S describes shifts of the SWWs. • Demonstrates pollen preservation as a robust index of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]