High altitude human occupations in the extreme South Andean: archaeological evidence of Valle Hermoso (Malargüe, Argentina)

En este trabajo se discuten las ocupaciones humanas de altura, entre los 2000 y 3000 msnm, en el extremo Sur andino durante el Holoceno tardío. Para ello, se integran los análisis líticos y cerámicos del sitio Valle Hermoso 1 y los relevamientos de arte rupestre de Valle Hermoso 2 y Valle Hermoso 3. Las evidencias muestran dos momentos de ocupación durante el Holoceno tardío final: un componente temprano (ca. 1900-1200 años AP) y un componente tardío (1200-250 años AP). Los resultados indican un uso intensivo de Valle Hermoso, con una alta reocupación estacional y modificaciones en la organización de las poblaciones humanas hacia momentos más tardíos, ca. 1200 años AP, con un cambio en el uso de la tecnología lítica y cerámica. La cronología y el registro arqueológico muestran conexiones con las Aldeas de Altura (más de 3500 msnm). Además, la existencia potencial de vínculos formales del arte rupestre con regiones alejadas, la presencia de elementos alóctonos (obsidiana de Coche Quemado y estilos cerámicos foráneos), podrían indicar una ampliación de las redes de interacción con poblaciones distantes. Los resultados presentados son discutidos en el contexto del resto de los sitios arqueológicos de altura del Sur de Mendoza.In this paper, we have discussed the high altitude human occupations, between 2000 and 3000 masl, in the extreme South of the Andes during the late Holocene. For this, the lithic and ceramic analyzes from the Valle Hermoso 1 site and rock art surveys of Valle Hermoso 2 and Valle Hermoso 3, are integrated. The evidence shows two moments of occupation during the final late Holocene: an early component (ca. 1900-1200 years BP) and a late component (ca. 1200-1500 years BP). The results indicate an intensive use of Valle Hermoso, with a high seasonal reoccupation and modifications in the organization of human population towards late moments, ca. 1200 years BP, with change in use of lithic and ceramic technology. The chronology and the archaeological record show connections with high villages (more than 3500 masl). In addition, the potential existence of formal links of rock art with remote regions, the presence of exotic elements (Coche Quemado obsidian and foreign ceramic styles) could indicate an expansion of exchange networks with distant populations. The results are discussed in the context of the rest of the archaeological sites of the South of Mendoza.Fil: Sugrañes, Nuria Andrea. Universidad Tecnologica Nacional. Facultad Reg.san Rafael. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: Acevedo, Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Asociación de Investigaciones Antropológicas; ArgentinaFil: Bonnat, Gustavo Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Laboratorio de Arqueología Regional Bonaerense; ArgentinaFil: Tucker, Hugo A.. Municipalidad de Malargüe. Dirección de Promoción y Políticas Turísticas; ArgentinaFil: Salgán, María Laura. Universidad Tecnologica Nacional. Facultad Reg.san Rafael. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: Fiore, Danae. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Asociación de Investigaciones Antropológicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Gil, Adolfo Fabian. Universidad Tecnologica Nacional. Facultad Reg.san Rafael. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: Neme, Gustavo Adolfo. Universidad Tecnologica Nacional. Facultad Reg.san Rafael. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente.; Argentin

Human diet, mobility and technology in a mortuary context at Atuel river valley: Cañada Seca-1 archaelogical record (San Rafael, Mendoza)

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo caracterizar el sitio Cañada Seca-1, un entierro múltiple (NMI=24) localizado en el valle del Atuel y fechado en ca. 1500 años AP, a través de la integración de diferentes líneas de evidencia. A partir de este registro se discuten las interpretaciones en torno a la presencia de cultígenos y sus implicancias para la subsistencia humana en un área caracterizada tradicionalmente como el límite de la dispersión agrícola sudamericana, ca. 2200 años AP. Los resultados destacan que los individuos inhumados en el sitio no habrían desarrollado una estrategia fundamentalmente agrícola, aunque el maíz formó parte de su dieta. Además, la nueva información sobre los comportamientos mortuorios en la zona del valle del Atuel, ofrece evidencias tanto sobre movilidad como sobre el uso de tecnologías utilitarias (líticas) y no utilitarias (ornamentos líticos y malacológicos) que trascendieron la vida cotidiana y los acompañaron en la muerte.The goal of this paper is to describe an archaeological burial site with commingled skeletal remains, named Cañada Seca-1 (MNI= 24), located in the Atuel River valley and dating from ca. 1500 years BP. This is performed by integrating well-known and recently developed lines of inquiry. Based on this record, we discuss interpretations related to cultigen presence and its implications in human subsistence and mobility, in an area traditionally characterized as the pre-Hispanic agricultural limit, ca. 2200 years BP. Results show that the individuals did not developed a farming strategy, although maize seems to have been part of their diet. In turn, the new information about mortuary behavior in the Atuel River valley provides new insights regarding mobility, as well as the use of utilitarian (lithics) and nonutilitarian (lithic and malacological ornaments) technology that went beyond these peoples’ life into their death.Sociedad Argentina de Antropologí

Os museus históricos e pedagógicos do estado de São Paulo

This paper analyzes the creation of the Historical and Pedagogical Museums network in the State of São Paulo between 1956 and 1973, mainly taking into consideration the concept for creation, the program, and the role of the museum in society. This work covers a period until the end of the 1990's, when the curators of the museums, which belonged to the State until that time, was transferred to the municipalities by means of a "municipalization" process coordinated by the Department of Museums and Archives of the State Department of Cultural Affairs (DEMA-SEC). It also shows that the implementation of this museums network - among other initiatives in the fields of education and of culture - addressed earlier needs of asserting an identity, emphasizing through projects of this type the hegemonic character of the State. This allowed to align the initiative of creating the museums with others actions carried out by the State before, and also enabled that this topic was take out from its long isolation from the study of State history. It also considers the web of relationships existing among the various sectors with which museums were connected, such as education, culture, and the São Paulo Historical and Geographical Institute, the Government, and Society. The implementation of Historical and Pedagogical Museums by means of State action, through its Departments of Education (from 1956 to 1968) and Cultural Affairs (from 1968 to 1998) was one of the ways through which the Government orientated its activities during those years in the fields of history, education and culture. The central thesis is that the implementation of these museums has fully addressed the aspirations of society at the time, while, at the same time, underscoring the logic behind the ideation that has oriented the characteristic mode of operation of museums during the years in which their curatorship was exercised by the Government, and proposes to consider them as a paradigm for "historical museums of the State of São Paulo".Este estudo analisa a criação da rede de museus históricos e pedagógicos do estado de São Paulo entre os anos de 1956 e 1973, sobretudo quanto ao conceito de criação, de programa e de função de museu na sociedade. Tal análise estende-se ao final da década de 1990, quando a tutela dos museus, até então estadual, é transferida às cidades por meio do processo de municipalização, coordenado pelo Departamento de Museus e Arquivos, da Secretaria de Estado da Cultura (Dema-SEC). Em meio a outras iniciativas nos campos da educação e da cultura, aborda a correspondência existente entre a implantação da rede desses museus e antigas necessidades de afirmação identitária, ao evidenciar, por meio de projetos desta natureza, o caráter hegemônico do Estado e sua atuação em campos como o da história, o da educação e o da cultura. Isso permitiu alinhar a iniciativa de criação dos museus a outras anteriormente promovidas pelo estado de São Paulo e possibilitar que o tema escapasse de um prolongado isolamento no estudo da história paulista. Trata, também, da trama de relações existentes entre diversos setores ligados aos museus - educação, cultura, Instituto Histórico e Geográfico de São Paulo (IHGSP), poder público e sociedade. A hipótese central é de que a implantação desses museus correspondeu plenamente às aspirações da sociedade de uma época, ao mesmo tempo em que evidencia a lógica da ideação que determinou o modo característico de atuação dos museus nos anos em que estiveram sob a tutela do governo estadual, propondo, assim, entendê-los como paradigma de "museu histórico do estado de São Paulo"

Oxygen Isotopes and Human Residential Mobility in Central Western Argentina

Stable oxygen isotopes (δ18O) from human bone apatite from central western Argentina (30º–37ºS latitude) were analysed to understand changes in human residential mobility during the Late Holocene. This region contains evidence for the use of domesticated plants over the last 2000 years (Zea mays, Cucurbita sp. and Phaseolus sp., among others), and previous models of prehistoric occupation have suggested a distinct change in mobility and population movement associated with their incorporation. The importance of these domesticates also seems to have varied geographically, being greater in the northern part of the region and declining as one moves south toward the limit with Patagonia. Expectations about patterns of residential mobility have varied accordingly. To better evaluate these models, we analysed carbonate δ18O from the bone apatite of 71 individuals with radiocarbon dates spanning the last 6000 years. Given the existing evidence, we expected to see temporal and geographic differences in their oxygen isotope values associated with changes in residential mobility and the incorporation of different sources of drinking water available within the region. These expectations were not met. Significant variations were seen across all samples compared, both temporal and geographic, with no discernible differences among them. The data suggest that populations throughout the area were all highly mobile, and that this did not change with the incorporation of domesticates. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Human demography and domestic plants in central Western Argentina: Exploring trends in radiocarbon dates

Clásicamente el origen y la dispersión de la agricultura se han explicado al menos parcialmente por variables demográficas. Este estudio, de carácter preliminar, explora el uso de la frecuencia de fechas radiocarbónicas como un proxy demográfico y con tales tendencias se compara la dispersión de cultígenos en el centro occidente argentino. Se acepta la región como el límite sur de la expansión agrícola prehispánica y sobre esa base se comparan las tendencias radiocarbónicas de tres sectores definidos heurísticamente: Norte, Centro y Sur. El trabajo analiza 344 fechas para los últimos 5000 años 14C provenientes de 166 sitios arqueológicos. La suma de probabilidades muestra patrones similares entre los tres sectores pero registra menos variaciones temporales en el Norte, luego en el Centro y finalmente en el Sur, lo que podría entenderse como una correlación con la estabilidad demográfica donde el sector Norte muestra un patrón más estable que en el Centro y estos que el Sur.Classically, the origin and spread of the farmers at least have been explained by demographics variable. This paper preliminarily explores the use of the frequency of radiocarbon dates as a demographic proxy and compares such trends to cultigens scattering in central western Argentina. The region is accepted as the southern boundary of Prehispanic agricultural expansion and on that basis the radiocarbon trends compare three sectors: North, Central and South. The paper analyzes 344 radiocarbon dates from the last 5000 14C years and 176 archaeological site recorded between 30° and 37° S. The sum of probabilities shows similar patterns among the three sectors but less variation recorded in the North than in Center and the South. This could indicate a correlation with demographic stability where the North shows a more stable than those in the Center and the South pattern.Fil: Gil, Adolfo Fabian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla | Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla; ArgentinaFil: Giardina, Miguel Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla | Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla; ArgentinaFil: Neme, Gustavo Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla | Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla; ArgentinaFil: Ugan, A.. University of Utah; Estados Unidos. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael; Argentin

Patagonian partnerships: the extinct Dusicyon avus and its interaction with prehistoric human communities

The southern Mendoza province, located in the northern region of Patagonia, was inhabited by hunter-gatherer groups until historic times. Previous archaeological studies have reported canid remains among faunal assemblages, which were assumed to be part of the human diet. However, the taxonomic identification and significance of these canids within human groups have raised questions. In this study, we used ancient DNA analysis, morphological examination and stable isotope analysis (δ13Ccol and δ15N) to re-evaluate the taxonomic assignment of a canid discovered at the Late Holocene burial site of Cañada Seca. Previous morphological identifications suggested that it belonged to the genus Lycalopex, but our results conclusively demonstrate that the individual belongs to the extinct fox species Dusicyon avus. This finding expands Dusicyon avus’ known geographical distribution to Patagonia’s northern extremity. Furthermore, statistical predictions based on genetic divergence undermine the hypothesis that hybridization between Canis and Dusicyon, facilitated by the introduction of domestic dogs, played a role in the extinction of Dusicyon species. On the other hand, our findings indicate that a Dusicyon avus individual shared a similar diet and was probably buried alongside humans, suggesting a close relationship between the two species during their lives and deaths

Small mammal taphonomy and palaeoecological Holocene interpretations in the Andean piedmont (southern Mendoza province, Argentina)

Salamanca cave (southern Mendoza province) is in the Andean piedmont, a transitional area in which small mammal communities may have been affected by climatic pulses. The site yields three archaeological components covering from the early to the late-Holocene with a mid-Holocene occupational and sedimentological hiatus. Taphonomic analyses of the small mammal assemblages indicate that barn owls (Tyto furcata) were the main accumulation agent, ensuring accurate palaeoecological inferences. Taxonomic composition of the site shows the dominance of Eligmodontia sp. followed by Thylamys pallidior, Phyllotis cf. P. vaccarum-pehuenche and Ctenomys sp., all of them indicative of shrubland and bare ground habitats. Palaeoclimatic inferences indicate a trend to warmer temperatures from the lower to the upper component with a slight increase in humidity in the middle component. This humid pulse is also supported by post-depositional taphonomic processes. The taxonomic structure and abundance of small mammals do not show deep changes amongst the three archaeological components, following the general trend observed in other archaeological sites from the Pampean region, southern Mendoza province and the arid and semi-arid zones of north Patagonia, in which changes in the taxonomic composition of small mammal communities are almost absent since Pleistocene–Holocene transition to late Holocene

Small mammal taphonomy and palaeoecological Holocene interpretations in the Andean piedmont (southern Mendoza province, Argentina)

Salamanca cave (southern Mendoza province) is in the Andean piedmont, a transitional area in which small mammal communities may have been affected by climatic pulses. The site yields three archaeological components covering from the early to the late-Holocene with a mid-Holocene occupational and sedimentological hiatus. Taphonomic analyses of the small mammal assemblages indicate that barn owls (Tyto furcata) were the main accumulation agent, ensuring accurate palaeoecological inferences. Taxonomic composition of the site shows the dominance of Eligmodontia sp. followed by Thylamys pallidior, Phyllotis cf. P. vaccarum-pehuenche and Ctenomys sp., all of them indicative of shrubland and bare ground habitats. Palaeoclimatic inferences indicate a trend to warmer temperatures from the lower to the upper component with a slight increase in humidity in the middle component. This humid pulse is also supported by post-depositional taphonomic processes. The taxonomic structure and abundance of small mammals do not show deep changes amongst the three archaeological components, following the general trend observed in other archaeological sites from the Pampean region, southern Mendoza province and the arid and semi-arid zones of north Patagonia, in which changes in the taxonomic composition of small mammal communities are almost absent since Pleistocene–Holocene transition to late Holocene.</p

Sustainable harvest or resource depression? Using ancient DNA to study the population dynamics of guanaco in western Argentina during the Holocene

Zooarchaeologists have relied upon various approaches to study the impacts of harvest pressure and environmental change on ungulate populations, such as analysis of prey mortality patterns and morphometrics. Analysis of ancient DNA from ungulate bones and bone fragments from archaeological sites provides an additional means for studying prey population dynamics related to environmental change and human ecology over time. In this paper, we study the population history of the largest game animal in northwest Patagonia, the guanaco (Lama guanicoe). Our study relies on the use of Bayesian Skyline Plots to determine shifts in estimated guanaco population size based on analysis of ancient mitochondrial DNA. Our results indicate that hunting by humans in addition to increases in aridity during the late Holocene led to a decline in the guanaco population in the region, which is in contrast to the harvest and environmental history in other parts of Patagonia (south of our study area). Using a weight of evidence approach that includes proxies of environmental change, human population dynamics, exploitation of guanacos, and estimates of guanaco population size, we argue that the late Holocene shift in guanaco population size was a driving factor in subsistence and settlement change related to resource intensification during the late Holocene in northwest Patagonia.Fil: Abbona, Cinthia Carolina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional San Rafael. Instituto de Evolución, Ecología Histórica y Ambiente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Evolución, Ecología Histórica y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Neme, Gustavo Adolfo. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional San Rafael. Instituto de Evolución, Ecología Histórica y Ambiente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Evolución, Ecología Histórica y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Johnson, Jeff. University of North Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Gil, Adolfo Fabian. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional San Rafael. Instituto de Evolución, Ecología Histórica y Ambiente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Evolución, Ecología Histórica y Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Villalba, Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Nagaoka, Lisa. University of North Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Kim, Tracy A.. University of North Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Wolverton, Steve. University of North Texas; Estados Unido