Estudio comparativo de las marcas de dientes producidas por dos pequeños carnívoros sudamericanos

In the following paper we present the preliminary results of an experimental study performed with Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) and Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi). The objectives are to characterize the tooth mark patterns generated by each carnivore on non ingested bone of a small mammal and evaluate if there exists differences in these patterns. Results indicate that both carnivores generate similar types and proportions of modifications; however, the average number of marks per specimen is double for the Pampas fox. The preliminary information obtained here indicates that the size of the pits does not appear to be a sufficient diagnostic criterion to distinguish the action of these two predators.En este trabajo se presentan los primeros resultados de un estudio experimental realizado con zorro pampeano (Lycalopex gymnocercus) y gato montés (Leopardus geoffroyi) con el fin de caracterizar el patrón de marcas de dientes generado por cada carnívoro sobre restos óseos no ingeridos de un mamífero pequeño y evaluar si existen diferencias en estos patrones. Este estudio indicó que ambos carnívoros generan los mismos tipos de modificaciones y en proporciones similares; no obstante, el número promedio de marcas por espécimen es más del doble en el caso del zorro. Sobre la base de los resultados preliminares obtenidos se propone que el tamaño de los hoyuelos no parece ser un criterio diagnóstico determinante para distinguir la acción de estos dos predadores

Technology, subsistence, and mobility of Middle to Late Holocene hunter-gatherers in the southern Pampas: new archaeological data from Las Toscas shallow lake (Argentina)

Despite a long history of hunter-gatherer occupation in the Pampas region starting at the end of the Pleistocene, the known archaeological record is still sparse for some periods, such as the Middle Holocene. Here, we present new archaeological data from Las Toscas shallow lake, located in the inland plains of the southern Pampas, where systematic fieldwork revealed an abundant and diverse archaeological record resulting from hunter-gatherer occupation. The aims of this study were to establish the chronology of the occupations; to evaluate the use of faunal and lithic resources; and to contribute to the understanding of hunter-gatherer land use patterns. Archaeological evidence indicates that procurement, domestic, and ritual activities were conducted around the shallow lake during the Middle and Late Holocene, including hunting of terrestrial game; tool manufacture and repair; storing and use of mineral pigments; and likely human burial practices. Evidence also suggests that the use of this locality was not continuous but redundant and that this shallow lake was a persistent place for hunter-gatherers. Faunal data agrees with regional models that propose that Lama guanicoe was the main food resource during the second half of the Middle Holocene, although a taphonomic bias in favor of larger vertebrates cannot be ruled out. The lithic assemblages suggest that artifacts entered the locality mostly as part of individual toolkits and indicate a strong preference for orthoquartzite. Finally, bone remains of extinct fauna were recovered at the locality; however, a functional association between these remains and cultural material could not be demonstrated.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Investigaciones arqueológicas en el sitio Las Brusquillas 3 (Holoceno tardío, región Pampeana, Argentina)

This article presents the results of the analysis from the Las Brusquillas 3 site, located in the Interserrana grasslands of the Pampean region. The archaeological assemblage contains faunal remains, lithic artifacts, and mineral pigments from hunter-gatherer occupations dating to the Late Holocene (ca. 2,800 14C years BP). Here, we present a characterization of the stratigraphic sequence, a techno-morphological analysis of the lithic artifacts, and the zooarchaeological and taphonomic data of the faunal remains. e main objectives of this study are to evaluate the taphonomic history and formation processes of the faunal assemblage, identify the animal resources exploited, and characterize the lithic technology. Most of the archaeological material was recovered from a fluvio-lacustrine deposit, where a marshy palaeosol had developed. The results indicate that multiple human activities occurred at the site, including the processing and consumption of faunal resources, and the manufacture, re-sharpening, and use of lithic implements. The main prey was the guanaco and smaller-sized animals were used as complementary resources. The lithic technology is characterized by unifacial aking, a preferential use of quartzite, and an individual raw material provisioning strategy.En este artículo se presentan y discuten los resultados del estudio del sitio Las Brusquillas 3, ubicado en la llanura Interserrana de la región Pampeana. El conjunto arqueológico recuperado está integrado por restos faunísticos, artefactos líticos y fragmentos de pigmento mineral, resultantes de ocupaciones cazadoras-recolectoras ocurridas durante el Holoceno tardío (ca. 2800 años 14C AP). Se presenta la caracterización de la secuencia estratigráfica y los resultados del análisis tecno-morfológico de los artefactos líticos y del estudio zooarqueológico y tafonómico de los restos faunísticos. Los principales objetivos son evaluar la historia tafonómica y los procesos de formación del conjunto faunístico, identificar los recursos animales explotados y caracterizar la tecnología lítica. Los materiales se encontraban en un depósito fluvio-lacustre, sobre el cual se desarrolló un paleosuelo palustre. En el sitio se llevaron a cabo múltiples actividades, incluyendo el procesamiento y consumo de recursos faunísticos y la manufactura, reactivación y uso de instrumentos líticos. El guanaco fue la presa principal mientras que animales de menor porte constituyeron recursos complementarios. La tecnología lítica se caracteriza por la talla unifacial y el uso preferencial de ortocuarcita dentro de una estrategia de aprovisionamiento de los individuos

Vertical distribution of extinct Pleistocene fauna and lithic artifacts from the AS2 site.

<p>Calculated using the total number of tridimensional plotted remains from the excavation units 21–71.</p

Geological context of the Arroyo Seco 2 site.

<p>(A) Stratigraphic profile from excavation Unit 70 (south wall). (B) Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and organic material percentages.</p

List of extinct mammal radiocarbon dates at the AS2 site.

<p>List of extinct mammal radiocarbon dates at the AS2 site.</p

Example of the spatial association between bone, lithic artifacts, and human burials at the AS2 site.

<p>(A) Horizontal distribution map of central excavation units 36, 37, 40 to 46 (see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0162870#pone.0162870.s008" target="_blank">S1 Table</a> for map references). (B) Lutita artifact with detail of flaked edges. (C) Oval shaped cobble (rhyolite) with detail of fracture and rounded edge. Note: All material was recovered from the lower part of stratigraphic Unit Y with the exception of Skeleton # 14 (a single individual adult primary skeleton located in the lower stratigraphic Unit Z).</p

Generalized stratigraphic profile of the AS2 site.

<p>Generalized stratigraphic profile of the AS2 site.</p

Sample of the lithic artifacts found in the levels associated with extinct fauna.

<p>(a) side scraper, quartzite; (b) retouched flake, quartzite; (c) retouched flake, quartzite; (d-e) scrapers made on coastal rounded cobbles; (f) bipolar cobble. All material recovered from the lower part of Unit Y, Unit S, and the upper part of Unit Z. Photograph modified from Leipus and Landini [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0162870#pone.0162870.ref027" target="_blank">27</a>].</p

Estudio comparativo de las marcas de dientes producidas por dos pequeños carnívoros sudamericanos

In the following paper we present the preliminary results of an experimental study performed with Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) and Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi). The objectives are to characterize the tooth mark patterns generated by each carnivore on non ingested bone of a small mammal and evaluate if there exists differences in these patterns. Results indicate that both carnivores generate similar types and proportions of modifications; however, the average number of marks per specimen is double for the Pampas fox. The preliminary information obtained here indicates that the size of the pits does not appear to be a sufficient diagnostic criterion to distinguish the action of these two predators.En este trabajo se presentan los primeros resultados de un estudio experimental realizado con zorro pampeano (Lycalopex gymnocercus) y gato montés (Leopardus geoffroyi) con el fin de caracterizar el patrón de marcas de dientes generado por cada carnívoro sobre restos óseos no ingeridos de un mamífero pequeño y evaluar si existen diferencias en estos patrones. Este estudio indicó que ambos carnívoros generan los mismos tipos de modificaciones y en proporciones similares; no obstante, el número promedio de marcas por espécimen es más del doble en el caso del zorro. Sobre la base de los resultados preliminares obtenidos se propone que el tamaño de los hoyuelos no parece ser un criterio diagnóstico determinante para distinguir la acción de estos dos predadores