Southern Argentinean Research Articles

Of Hunting and Herding: Isotopic evidence in wild and domesticated camelids from the Southern Argentine Puna (2120–420 years BP)

Using stable isotope analysis, this paper studies the interaction between Prehispanic camelid herding and hunting practices in agropastoralist societies of the Antofagasta de la Sierra Basin (Southern Argentinean Puna) between 2120 and 420years BP. Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios were measured on 45 archaeological wild (Vicugna vicugna) and domesticated (Lama glama) camelid bone samples from the Early and Late Formative Period (3000–1000years BP) site of Casa Chavez Montículos, and from the Regional Late Period (1000–420years BP) sites of Corral Alto, Bajo del Coypar, Real Grande 1 and Real Grande 6.The isotopic analysis showed that domestic camelids at the sites segregated into two groups according to δ13C, reflecting two distinct animal management strategies. This could have involved differences in foddering practices or altitudinal herding ranges. In the case of wild camelids, δ13C and δ15N values indicated that the distances travelled in their hunting varied depending on the site. The observed variability in the management strategies of herding resources, and in the mobility circuits linked to the exploitation of wild camelids, presents the case for puna groups relying on an ongoing re-organisation of longstanding local economic practices to mediate the socio-political and environmental factors that arose through time.

Moving obsidian: The case of Antofagasta de la Sierra basin (Southern Argentinean Puna) during the late Middle and Late Holocene

This paper presents the results of an XRF analysis on the provenience of 118 obsidian artifacts from archaeological sites of the Antofagasta de la Sierra basin (Catamarca Province Argentina) dating to the late Middle and Late Holocene (c.4500–1100 BP). The time span considered encompasses a local process of gradual transformation from hunter-gatherer/early agro-pastoral groups to consolidated agro-pastoral societies. For this study, non-destructive elemental analysis of obsidian artifacts was conducted using two different X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (ED-XRF). This information was then supplemented by previous provenience results, undertaken on 59 obsidian archaeological artifacts from the same area. A comparative synthesis of chemical and macroscopic characterization of five obsidian sources located in Southern Argentinean Puna is also presented. The provenance of archaeological materials was assigned by comparison with twelve presently known Argentine sources. On this basis, late Middle and Late Holocene obsidian regional movement patterns, differential distribution and use of this raw material are discussed. Furthermore, this obsidian research lends support to the existence of exchange networks based on the use of different extra-regional obsidian sources located in the Northern Argentinean Puna.

Analysis of admixture and genetic structure of two Native American groups of Southern Argentinean Patagonia

Argentinean Patagonia is inhabited by people that live principally in urban areas and by small isolated groups of individuals that belong to indigenous aboriginal groups; this territory exhibits the lowest population density of the country. Mapuche and Tehuelche (Mapudungun linguistic branch), are the only extant Native American groups that inhabit the Argentinean Patagonian provinces of Río Negro and Chubut. Fifteen autosomal STRs, 17 Y-STRs, mtDNA full length control region sequence and two sets of Y and mtDNA-coding region SNPs were analyzed in a set of 434 unrelated individuals. The sample set included two aboriginal groups, a group of individuals whose family name included Native American linguistic root and urban samples from Chubut, Río Negro and Buenos Aires provinces of Argentina. Specific Y Amerindian haplogroup Q1 was found in 87.5% in Mapuche and 58.82% in Tehuelche, while the Amerindian mtDNA haplogroups were present in all the aboriginal sample contributors investigated. Admixture analysis performed by means of autosomal and Y-STRs showed the highest degree of admixture in individuals carrying Mapuche surnames, followed by urban populations, and finally by isolated Native American populations as less degree of admixture. The study provided novel genetic information about the Mapuche and Tehuelche people and allowed us to establish a genetic correlation among individuals with Mapudungun surnames that demonstrates not only a linguistic but also a genetic relationship to the isolated aboriginal communities, representing a suitable proxy indicator for assessing genealogical background.

La tejeduría indígena en la Patagonia meridional argentina. Análisis de las razones de su adopción por los aónik’enk y planteamiento de una nueva propuesta explicativa

First, we analyze the assumptions of the current hypotheses on the reasons why Aonik’enk (Southern Argentinean Patagonia) took the weaving. Following these assumptions are compared with historical empirical data. This allows to conclude that they cannot be extended to all Aonik’enk groups. In search of alternative hypotheses, a study of textiles made and used by these groups using historical data, ethnographic and archaeological is performed. From these results we propose the adoption of a symbolic perspective to overcome the material determinism of the current hypotheses and make satisfactory explanations about it.

Occurrence of yeasts in faecal samples from Antarctic and South American seabirds

During an expedition to the Southern Argentinean town of Ushuaia, the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Islands and the Falkland Islands, we collected 94 faecal specimens from wild birds to screen for yeast within the different bird species. The yeast species were identified by morphological features and commercial characterisation kits. From 54% of the specimens, we isolated 122 strains representing 29 yeast species. Debaryomyces hansenii, Candida lambica and Candida krusei were the most frequently isolated species. We found a plethora of yeasts in birds living in proximity to humans, whereas birds living in more remote areas were colonised with a lower number of fungal species.

Archaeological Evidence of Zea Mays L. (Poaceae) in the Southern Argentinean Puna (Antofagasta De La Sierra, Catamarca)

Different varieties of Zea mays L. (Poaceae) recovered from Punta de la Peña 4 and Punta de la Peña 9 archaeological sites were studied. These sites are situated in the vicinity of Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca, Argentina. C14dates obtained span 1970 ± 50 and 530 ± 50 BP, which correspond to the Late Holocene. The hypothesis proposes the intensive use of plant species in the studied archaeological sites as a preparation for the next stage, Late Holocene, when horticulture and herding were incorporated into hunter-gatherer practices in the Puna ecozone. Based on this data, the progress of the plant domestication process in the Southern Argentinean Puna is re-evaluated.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF ZEA MAYS L. (POACEAE) IN THE SOUTHERN ARGENTINEAN PUNA (ANTOFAGASTA DE LA SIERRA, CATAMARCA)

ABSTRACT Different varieties of Zea mays L. (Poaceae) recovered from Punta de la Pena 4 and Punta de la Pena 9 archaeological sites were studied. These sites are situated in the vicinity of Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca, Argentina. C14 dates obtained span 1970 ± 50 and 530 ± 50 BP, which correspond to the Late Holocene. The hypothesis proposes the intensive use of plant species in the studied archaeological sites as a preparation for the next stage, Late Holocene, when horticulture and herding were incorporated into hunter-gatherer practices in the Puna ecozone. Based on this data, the progress of the plant domestication process in the Southern Argentinean Puna is re-evaluated.

Acrocomia chunta (Arecaceae) raw material for cord making in the Argentinean Puna

The analysis of cords recovered in the archaeological sites Peña de las Trampas 1.1, c. 8400 years BP, and Inca Cueva 7, c. 4080–4030 years BP, allowed us to discuss the hypothesis that vascular bundles of palm leaves from distant sources were used in the Northern and Southern Puna during the Holocene in different archaeological sites. In this paper we contribute data from two sites. The first is situated at the locality of Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca, Southern Argentinean Puna; the other at the Quebrada de Inca Cueva, Jujuy, Northern Argentinean Puna. The goals in this paper were to identify the raw materials used in making cords, the differences in cord fabrication between the two samples and the temporal and spatial distribution of Puna data with reference to the palm species habitat.

Rheophilic water mites from southern Argentina, with the description of one new genus and three new species (Acari: Hydrachnidia)

Water mites from Southern Argentinean streams, from Neuquén Province in the north to Tierra del Fuego Province in the south, were examined. One new genus is described, viz. Andesobates as well as three new species, viz. Anisitsiellides australis, Protolimnesia (Protolimnesia) pampaensis and Andesobates longipalpis. New observations are made for a number of other species, some of these new records representing a considerable range extension. Finally, additional illustrations are provided for Protolimnesia longa Besch.