Littoral adaptation at the southern end of South America

Abstract

The southwestern fringe of Patagonia and the Fuegian Archipelago constitute an area characterised by a very irregular coast and dense forests. From 6400 BP to the nineteenth century AD, a human adaptation intensively oriented to the exploitation of littoral and maritime resources developed there. This specialization is perceived in subsistence and technology. Nevertheless, in spite of the challenging climate, the material toolkit and social organization were very simple, a feature that frequently puzzled the European voyagers. Archaeological research shows that there were changes along time as well as geographical variations, but the dominant impression is of a homogeneous, durable and stable system. Given the peculiar environmental conditions, dominated by a highly oceanic climate, the mentioned instrumental and social simplicity was the preferable human behaviour.