Search

The bioarchaeological analysis of the human remains rescued at Loteo Silva site (Viedma, Rio Negro province) is presented, with the objective of characterizing and evaluating funerary practices, site functionality, paleodiet, and discussing the chronology of hunter-gatherer occupations from the lower course of the Negro River. In addition, this context is discussed and inserted in the archaeology of the study area and surrounding microregions (e.g., eastern Pampa-Patagonia transition, northern coast of San Matias Gulf). The results indicate the presence of three adult individuals of both sexes, buried in both simple primary and secondary modalities. The taphonomic studies show the stability in the post-depositional history and the exposure of the skeletons at moments close to their actual recovery. Stable isotope analysis indicates that mainly terrestrial resources were consumed by these individuals. Two radiocarbon dates showed a chronology of ca. 3.600-3.200 years BP, indicating the earliest occupation for the lower course of the Negro River and the earliest evidence of burial manipulation from the Northeastern Patagonia. The burials recovered at Loteo Silva site presents trends and characteristics similar to other mortuary contexts of the study area and neighboring regions.

The main objective of this paper is to assess paleodiets and subsistence patterns in hunter-gatherer groups of the eastern Pampa-Patagonia transition during the Middle Holocene (ca. 6000–4100 years BP). Using a multivariate diet reconstruction model that incorporates δ13Cap, δ13Ccol, and δ15N holistically, human palaeodiets were characterized through the identification of dietary patterns relative to the consumption of terrestrial (e.g., vegetal and animal) and marine resources (e.g., fish). Thus, both spatial and temporal variations in diet and subsistence, as well as issues related to mobility and the use of landscape (coast-inland), were explored. Nine adult individuals of both sexes from four archeological sites were analyzed. The results of δ13Ccol and δ15N for the study area indicated that the individuals buried close to the Atlantic coast (Tres Bonetes 1-colección Donnay and Cantera de Rodados Villalonga sites) exhibited similar values among them, which differed statistically from those individuals buried in sites located inland (Loma de Los Morteros and La Modesta). While the first group of individuals showed a range of marine to mixed diets, the second group was characterized by terrestrial values. The observed differences were interpreted as the product of possible territorial demarcations. For the study area, Middle Holocene dietary trends were also compared with those of the Late Holocene, which indicated temporal variations in the diet between ca. 6000–400 years BP. Finally, at the macro-regional level, the results obtained here showed certain differences and similarities from those of northeastern Patagonia and southeastern Pampa. Such macro-regional trends in paleodiets are also discussed here. Fil: Flensborg, Gustavo Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Martinez, Gustavo Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Tessone, Augusto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; Argentina

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.

The objective of this article is to evaluate if changes in the social organization of hunter-gatherer groups from northeastern Patagonia (Argentina) during the Final Late Holocene (ca. 1000–250 years BP) may be understood as a regionalization process. A portion of this region, the lower course of the Colorado River, is taken as a case study. This arid/semi-arid area is part of an ecotone between the Pampas and northeastern Patagonia situated beside the Atlantic coast. Most of the evidence for occupation is concentrated in the Late Holocene, more precisely from 1000 to 250 BP. The archaeological record of this period indicates increased human population, along with a greater intensity of site occupation, the first systematic evidence of coastal occupation, reduced mobility and territoriality, diversification and intensification of subsistence practices, changes in the procurement and use of exotic raw materials, more complex funerary practices, and decreased circulation of specific images in portab...

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la cronología y las principales tendencias de los análisis geoarqueológicos, zooarqueológicos, de la tecnología lítica y de los entierros humanos recuperados en el sitio arqueológico Zoko Andi 1 (Pdo. de Patagones). Éste se localiza en una duna, sobre la margen derecha del curso inferior del río Colorado. Se obtuvieron nueve fechados radiocarbónicos provenientes de especímenes faunísticos, restos óseos humanos y carbón que ubican la cronología del sitio entre ca. 1500-400 años AP. Las dataciones obtenidas, en conjunción con los aspectos estratigráficos identificados, indican la existencia de al menos dos lapsos de ocupación. El primero de ellos se ubica en torno a los ca. 1500-1300 años AP (Holoceno tardío inicial), mientras que el otro se localiza en ca. 800-400 años AP (Holoceno tardío final). En este sentido, se trata del primer sitio del área en cuya secuencia se distinguen dos componentes que se corresponden con los dos bloques temporales del Holoceno tardío. Los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento en las distintas líneas de análisis se ajustan parcialmente a las tendencias propuestas en los modelos formulados para el área y son brevemente discutidas en este trabajo.

Fil: Flensborg, Gustavo Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueologicas y Paleontologicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueologicas y Paleontologicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales; Argentina

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.

Las investigaciones arqueológicas en el noreste de Patagonia y sudeste de la región Pampeana han evaluado varios indicadores referidos a la dieta de los grupos cazadores-recolectores que habitaron estas regiones durante el Holoceno tardío, incluyendo el rol de las plantas. Teniendo en cuenta que los análisis dentarios permiten generar información respecto de la subsistencia, el objetivo de este trabajo es documentar e interpretar lesiones dento-alveolares en una muestra osteológica recuperada del sitio arqueológico Paso Alsina 1 (transición pampeano-patagónica oriental, Argentina). Este trabajo explora el estado de salud oral de los individuos y discute información paleodietaria de los grupos cazadores-recolectores que habitaron en el valle inferior del río Colorado durante en Holoceno tardío final (ca. 500 años AP). El sitio es un área formal de inhumación compuesto por 10 entierros secundarios múltiples y representado por 56 individuos de ambos sexos y diferentes edades (e.g., perinato, infante y adulto). Se analizaron 781 dientes y 1036 alvéolos de 47 maxilares y 38 mandíbulas pertenecientes a 51 individuos adultos. Los resultados indican una moderada tasa de desgaste dental y de cálculos dentales, y bajos porcentajes de caries, abscesos y pérdidas antemortem. La información obtenida sugiere una dieta basada en proteínas, grasas y carbohidratos. Los resultados son comparados con otras líneas de análisis del área de estudio como también de regiones vecinas (noreste de Patagonia y sureste de región Pampeana). Several archaeological researches in northeastern Patagonia and southeastern Pampas have evaluated various indicators of the diets of hunter-gatherers who inhabited these regions during the Late Holocene, including the role of plant foods. Dental analysis is an important way to introduce new information about subsistence. In this sense, the objective of this work is to document and interpret dento-alveolar lesions in an osteological sample recovered from the Paso Alsina 1 archaeological site (eastern Pampean–Patagonian transition, Argentina). This paper will explore the oral health status of individuals and discuss palaeodietary information of hunter-gatherers that inhabited the lower valley of the Colorado River during the final Late Holocene (ca. 500 years BP). The site is defined as a formal area bundle composed of 10 secondary multiple burials containing 56 individuals of both sexes and various ages (e.g., perinatal, infant, and adult). In this study, 781 teeth and 1036 alveoli from 47 maxillae and 38 mandibles were analysed from 51 adult individuals. The results indicate a moderate rate of dental wear, and dental calculus, and low percentages of caries, abscesses, and antemortem tooth loss. The information obtained suggests a diet based on a combination of proteins, fat and carbohydrates. Results are then compared with those from other lines of analysis for the study area and for the neighboring regions (northeastern Patagonia and southeastern Pampas). Fil: Flensborg, Gustavo Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina

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.

Temporal frequency distributions are used to assess the chronology and continuity of human occupation at different spatial scales, differential landscape use and demographic patterns throughout time. These issues were addressed by applying the summed of radiocarbon probability distributions method to the northeastern sector of Patagonia (Argentina). This sector was divided into three microregions: the lower course of the Colorado River, the mouth and the middle and lower course of Negro River, and the north coast of San Matías Gulf. Differences in the chronology of the occupations are observed when considering individually the three micro-regions. Also, differences are recorded regarding the chronological pattern obtained from coastal and inland sectors. These differences are mainly the outcome of specific geomorphological processes operating in different sectors of landscape that generated taphonomic bias. Sites were differentially impacted by taphonomic factors and the recognition of older sites than Middle and Late Holocene is difficult. Despite the detection of taphonomic biases, it is proposed that the higher intensity of the archaeological signal for the Final Late Holocene (ca. 600–400 cal BP) would be the result of higher population densities. It is suggested that chronological patterns obtained by temporal frequency distributions should be strengthened by independent evidence provided by qualitative information on the reorganization of hunter–gatherer societies (e.g.; changes in burial practices, subsistence, technology, etc.), indispensable to better evaluate the increase in population size and prehistoric demography. Fil: Martinez, Gustavo Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Flensborg, Gustavo Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Bayala, Martin Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina

Human body manipulation and secondary burials are widespread funerary practices in many areas of the world. The archaeology of the Pampas and North-Eastern Patagonia, Argentina, is no exception. In this paper, archaeological case studies from the lower basin of the Colorado River during the Final Late Holocene (ca. 1000–250 years BP) are presented and discussed. Secondary burials were recovered that indicated an intentional manipulation of bodies. Evidences of cut marks and the coloring of bone surfaces were recorded. The bundles were composed of individuals of both sexes and diverse age categories. The Pampean region and North-Eastern Patagonia witnessed significant hunter–gatherer population dynamics during the last 1000 years BP. Climatic, ecologic, demographic, and economic explanations have been proposed as the background to these changes. In this paper, it is argued that accompanying these factors, as part of a broader socio-cultural scenario, were significant social interaction networks and processes of social complementarity between groups. In this context, it is proposed that the complexity observed in relation to the handling of bodies is part of a worldview in which the body was seen as material culture – as a symbol – that played an important role for the community in group identity maintenance in a cultural context undergoing significant organizational changes. Fil: Martinez, Gustavo Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Flensborg, Gustavo Ariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina Fil: Bayala, Pablo Darío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentina. Ministerio de Ciencia. Tecnología e Innovación Productiva. Agencia Nacional de Promoción Cientifíca y Tecnológica; Argentina

En este trabajo se presentan las características bioarqueológicas del sitio Loma de los Muertos (departamento de General Conesa, provincia de Río Negro, Argentina). El sitio fue defi nido como un campamento base donde se llevaron a cabo prácticas inhumatorias en un lapso de 1.000 años. Fueron recuperados tres entierros primarios cuyos fechados radiocarbónicos revelan ocupaciones ubicadas entre ca. 3.000-2.000 años AP. El estudio del material osteológico indica que se trata de un individuo masculino adulto medio con deformación craneal de tipo tabular oblicua y dos femeninos adultos medios sin deformación craneal. Los resultados del análisis paleopatológico señalan prevalencias de lesiones traumáticas, degenerativas y bucales en los tres esqueletos, esperadas para sociedades cazadoras-recolectoras. Las características contextuales de los entierros humanos de Loma de los Muertos se asemejan a otros sitios de áreas colindantes para el Holoceno tardío inicial., In this paper the characteristics of the bioarchaeological record of Loma de los Muertos site (departament of General Conesa, Río Negro province, Argentine) is presented. This site was defi ned as a base camp where inhumatories practices were carried out in a temporal span of more than 1.000 years. Three primary burials were recovered and radiocarbon dates suggest several occupations betwen 3.000 and 2.000 years BP. The study of the osteological material shows the presence of one adult male with tabulate and oblique cranial deformation and two adults female without cranial deformation. The paleopathological study indicates prevalences of traumatic, degenerative and buccal lesions in the three skeletons, as is expected for hunter-gatherers societies. The context of the human burials are alike other sites of neighbor area to initial late Holocene., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo