When maize is not the first choice: advances in paleodietary studies in the Archaeological Site Río Doncellas (Jujuy, Argentina)

In this work we present new values of stable isotopes of carbon (δ13Cco and δ13Cap) and nitrogen (δ15N) measured in a sample of 13 human individuals found in the Río Doncellas Archaeological Site (Late Period or Regional Developments, ca. 1000 AD-1450 AD) located in the Puna of Jujuy, Northwest of Argentina. The skeletal series belong to the collection of Museo E. Casanova, FFyL - UBA and the Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano, being the result of investigations carried out during the decades of 1940 and 1970, respectively. In addition, in this work we present isotopic compositions of food resources (vegetal and fauna) found in the archaeological record as well as gathered in modern farms located in the study area (Abra Pampa, Cochinoca, Jujuy). This information was used for paleodietary inference, allowing us to establish a hierarchy of the resources that were consumed. The results indicate that maize (Zea mays) is less important than other vegetal resources in the diet, which contradicts the expectations generated from the macrobotanical evidence of the site and the cultivated terraces that surround it. On the other hand, camelids seemed to be widely exploited, which is coherent with the current importance of meat production within the region. These results allow us to assert that the growth of cereals did not have a progressive relevance over other resources.Fil: Killian Galván, Violeta Anahí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotopica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; ArgentinaFil: Samec, Celeste Tamara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotopica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; ArgentinaFil: Panarello, Hector Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotopica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; Argentin

Sites for Gamma-ray Astronomy in Argentina

We have searched for possible sites in Argentina for the installation of large air Cherenkov telescope arrays and water Cherenkov systems. At present seven candidates are identified at altitudes from 2500 to 4500 m. The highest sites are located at the Northwest of the country, in La Puna. Sites at 2500 and 3100 m are located in the West at El Leoncito Observatory, with excellent infrastructure. A description of these candidate sites is presented with emphasis on infrastructure and climatology.Comment: Submitted to Proceedings of "4th Heidelberg International Symposium on High Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy 2008

An in situ shelly fauna from the lower Paleozoic Zapla diamictite of northwestern Argentina: implications for the age of glacial events across Gondwana

A shelly fauna from the upper part of the Zapla glacial diamictite includes thelingulate brachiopod Orbiculoidea radiata Troedsson, the rhynchonelliforms Dalmanella cf. testudinaria (Dalman) and Paromalomena sp., the bivalve Modiolopsis? sp., and the trilobite Dalmanitina subandina Monaldi and Boso. Both taphonomic and paleoecologic data indicate a lack of transport reflecting the original community. The assemblage is closely comparable to the widespread latest Ordovician Hirnantia-Dalmanitina fauna. The Hirnantian age of the Zapla diamictite is further corroborated by the record of the northern Gondwana chitinozoans Spinachitina cf. oulebsiri Paris and Desmochitina minor typicaEisenack. The graptolites and chitinozoans from the overlying Lipeón Formation indicate that the postglacial transgression took place in the earliest Llandovery (P. acuminatus Biozone). According to the tectonosedimentary evidence, the Early Silurian age of the Cancañiri and San Gabán diamictites of north-central Bolivia and south Peru based on their palynological record is more likely the age of posglacial gravity flows and not that of the glaciation. We support the hypothesis that the weakly lithified glacigenic deposits ofHirnantian age were reworked and redistributed by high-energy marine processes during the postglacial transgression and then transported to the adjacent deep-marine trough. Ironrich horizons have been recognized in many basins of southern South America reflecting eustatic and paleoclimatic fluctuations. Most of them formed during the early stages of the postglacial transgression at the Ordovician/Silurian transition and are associated with low sedimentation rates and condensed intervals. The mild maritime postglacial climate, the increasing atmospheric CO2, and possibly the presence of incipient vegetated areas led toextensive weathering of glacigenic sediments supplying iron into the marine system to form ferruginous deposits. The sea level fall related to the peak of glaciation is recorded by both paleovalley incision and a sharp subaerial to subglacial unconformity. The transgressive systems tract starts with fluvio-estuarine deposits within incised valleys followed by widespread deposition of subtidal to open marine organic-rich shales onlapping regionally the basement rocks. The recognition of key stratigraphic markers (e.g. sequence boundary, flooding surface, ferruginous beds), alongside reliable micro and macropaleontological evidence allow a more accurate correlation between the Central Andean Basin of Peru, Bolivia and NW Argentina, the W Puna region, the Paraguayan and Brazilian sectors of the Paraná Basin, the Precordillera Basin of W Argentina, and the Cape Basin of South Africa.Fil: Benedetto, Juan Luis Arnaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Halpern, Karen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: de la Puente, Graciela Susana. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Geología y Petróleo; ArgentinaFil: Monaldi, Cesar Ruben. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; Argentin

Para que "creciera el pueblo como Potosí": la minería en la Puna de Jujuy durante el periodo colonial

Este artículo tiene como objetivo dar cuenta de las características que adquirió la minería en la puna de Jujuy durante el período colonial. A lo largo de este trabajo se sintetizan los resultados alcanzados, atendiendo a la constitución de la región como un área minera, a la escala de trabajo e inversión de los emprendimientos desarrollados allí y a quienes se involucraron de distinta forma en ellos. Se observa así que la actividad extractiva a baja y mediana escala, llevada adelante por europeos e indígenas, adquirió un rol muy importante en la dinámica socio-política de la puna. Finalmente, se reflexiona sobre los procesos observados en esta región en comparación con el resto de la macroregión conformada por el Tucumán colonial.This paper aims to describe the characteristics of mining activities in the Puna of Jujuy acquired during colonial times. In this article we summarize the results of our research, taking into account the constitution of this region as a mining area, the scale of work and investment of the enterprises developed there and the people involved in these activities. It is observed that the low and medium scale extractive labours carried out by European and Indigenous people played an important role in the socio-political dynamics of the Puna region. Finally, we consider the processes observed in this area, comparing them with the rest of the macro-region of the colonial Tucumán.Fil: Becerra, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales; Argentin

Acantholippia salsoloides : Phytochemical Composition and Biological Potential of a Thujonic Population

Acantholippia salsoloides (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic plant widespread in the Andean region. The infusion (leaves and flowers) is widely used as a digestive stimulant as well as for the treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine. A. salsoloides attributes its common name “rica-rica” to the fresh and sweet fragrance of the plant. In this work, 2 different polar extracts and the essential oil of a selected rica-rica population were studied. The phenolic composition was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector; the essential oil profile was determined by gas-chromatography ion-trap mass spectrometry/flame ionization detection. For all extracts, the antibacterial potential was performed by in vitro assays; the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition were determined in decoction and hydroethanolic extracts. The volatile profile allowed the identification of 26 volatile compounds, β-thujone (84%) being the major one in this rica-rica population. Eighteen phenolic compounds were identified; isoferulic acid (16%-18%) and cynaroside (45%-47%) were the larger ones. In a general way, the hydroethanolic extract was more active against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus (minimum inhibitory concentrations= 0.3- 1.3 mg/mL). Both polar extracts have strong antiradical activities although decoction extract proved to be more active against DPPH· (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] =36 µg/mL) and O2•− (IC50 =28 µg/mL) while hydroethanolic extract shows higher action over α-glucosidase (IC50 =217 µg/mL). The results suggest that A. salsoloides leaves and flowers may be an interesting source of natural antioxidants, antidiabetics, or antimicrobials, and could be used in dietary supplements, medicinal products and pharmaceutical formulations.Fil: Celaya, Liliana Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Saltajujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Viturro, Carmen Ines. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Saltajujuy. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones En Tecnologias y Desarrollo Social Para El Noa.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Luís R.. Universidade da Beira Interior; Portuga

The railway to Bolivia: the process of settlement in the regions of Puna, Quebrada de Humahuaca and Valleys in the province of Jujuy

El impacto producido por el ferrocarril en el territorio argentino no ha tenido similitudes en la historia, ni antes ni después. La ocupación del territorio implicó un nuevo ordenamiento basado en la inserción de un red de tendidos férreos y pueblos con fines económicos extractivos. Este trabajo responde a un análisis del proceso de poblamiento surgido como consecuencia de la instalación del ferrocarril de Jujuy a La Quiaca. El proceso se explica a partir de la comprensión de la estructura del territorio antes de la llegada del ferrocarril, la planificación de la traza, las transformaciones en el territorio y la introducción del poblamiento. La investigación se basó en trabajos de campo realizados a lo largo de toda la línea. Se ha trabajado además con diferentes fuentes documentales como planimetría censal, fotografía satelital, legislaciones provinciales y nacionales, cartografía actual, considerando de fundamental importancia, el Informe de Moneta (1867), la licitación para la construcción de la línea mencionada (1902), así como la cartografía de De Moussy (1866).Fil: Ferrari, Monica Rossana. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Proconiini sharpshooters of Argentina, with notes on its distribution, host plants, and natural enemies

The American tribe Proconiini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) is one of the largest groups of xylem-feeding insects and includes the majority of the known vectors of xylem-born phytopathogenic organisms. The significance of the pathogens that this group transmits gives them an important role as pests, mostly for citrus fruit, grapes, and almonds. Knowledge of these Hemiptera in Argentina is insufficient and fragmentary. Thus one of the aims of this paper is to summarize the available information of the Proconiini sharpshooters in Argentina. In addition, 14 species are mentioned for the first time in the country, and new distributional data are given for 18 species. Thirty-four new associations between sharpshooters and host plants are recorded. New records of egg parasitoids are given for Dechacona missionum, Molomea consolida, M. lineiceps, and Tapajosa similis.Fil: Paradell, Susana Liria. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Virla, Eduardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiologicos; ArgentinaFil: Logarzo, Guillermo Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Dellapé, Gimena. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Alucinaciones en circulación : una mirada a la interacción surandina tardía desde las tabletas y tubos de La Paya (Valle Calchaquí, Salta)

Este trabajo presenta los resultados del estudio de las tabletas y tubos de inhalación de La Paya y otros sitios del valle Calchaquí y del análisis comparativo de esos artefactos con aquellos de otras regiones del Noroeste argentino y los Andes del Sur. Las similitudes iconográficas y morfológicas observadas entre tabletas y tubos del valle Calchaquí, la región del río Loa, la Puna de Jujuy y la Quebrada de Humahuaca sugieren la existencia, durante el Período de Desarrollos Regionales, de una esfera de circulación de bienes y/o ideas que comprende esas regiones, pero que no incluiría el área de San Pedro de Atacama.This work presents the results of a study on the snuff trays and tubes from La Paya and other sites from the Calchaquí Valley and of a comparative analysis between these artifacts and those from different regions of Northwestern Argentina and the Southern Andes. The observed iconographic and morphological similarities between trays and tubes from the Calchaquí Valley, the Loa River region, the Puna of Jujuy and the Quebrada de Humahuaca suggest the existence, during the Regional Developments Period, of a circulation sphere of goods and/or ideas that comprehends these regions, but not includes the San Pedro the Atacama area.Fil: Sprovieri, Marina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnica

Riqueza muerta por un trust extranjero: Desarrollo y problemáticas de la minería boratera en Jujuy (1880-1930)

En la provincia de Jujuy entre fines del siglo XIX y comienzos del siglo XX hubo un desplazamiento de la minería tradicional aurífera a otros sectores, donde se concentraron las inversiones, los esfuerzos y las políticas. Entre ellos, cobró especial dinamismo la explotación de boratos en las regiones de la Puna jujeña, subsidiaria de los centros productores mundiales de cerámicos, de vidrios y de otras industrias del capitalismo impuesto por los ritmos de la Segunda Revolución Industrial. Sin embargo, la nueva estructura minera que se perfilaba en la provincia favoreció la concentración de licencias y minas, promoviendo su carácter monopólico asociado a capitales internacionales. Ese proceso operaba en paralelo a la prefiguración de una “Nueva Argentina”, industrialista, proteccionista y con mayores equilibrios regionales, donde ciertos sectores de la minería considerados claves jugaban un rol central. Fue principalmente con la experiencia del radicalismo jujeño de la década de 1920 que se promulgó un replanteo de la actividad minera provinciana protectora de las riquezas nacionales. El artículo se propone revaluar la actividad minera de la provincia entre mediados del siglo XIX y 1930, como un proceso de transición que combinó diversos ensayos y fracasos, analizando los procesos de reconversión, la estructura y performance de la explotación de boratos, la incidencia de la actividad en la economía provincial y el accionar político desplegado.Between late 19th century and early 20th century there was a shift from traditional gold mining to other sectors in the province of Jujuy, where investments, efforts and policies were concentrated. Among them, the exploitation of borates in the regions of the Puna in Jujuy had special dynamism, subsidiary of global producing centres of ceramic, glass and other industries of the capitalism imposed by the rhythms of the Second Industrial Revolution. However, the new mining structure that was emerging in the province, favoured the concentration of licenses and mining, encouraging its monopolistic character associated with international capitals. That process ran parallel to the foreshadowing of a “New Argentina”, industrialist, and protectionist, with greater regional balances where certain mining sectors played a key role. It was mainly the experience of Jujuy radicalism of the 1920's that enacted a reframing of the provincial mining activity as protective of the national wealth. This paper aims to reassess the mining activity in the province between the mid-nineteenth century and 1930, as a transition process which combined various trials and failures, analyzing conversion processes, structure and performance of the exploitation of borates, the incidence of activity in the provincial economy and political action unfolded.Fil: Bovi, María Teresa. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas. Unidades en Red Investigaciones Socio-historicas Regionales; ArgentinaFil: Fandos, Cecilia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Investigaciones Socio-Históricas Regionales. Unidad de Investigación en Historia Regional - Nodo Unihr/Ishir; Argentin