Paleoenvironmental data from the Atacama Altiplano (21"-24"S) indicate that water, vegetation and animal resources were more abundant during lateglacial and early Holocene times than today. The rate of precipitation increased above 4000 m elevation to 400-500 mmlyr compared to the present 200 mm/yr. Dry conditions prevailed below 3500 m. Evidence of Paleoindian habitation is still missing, even though there is no evidence for environmental prohibitors during lateglacial time. The early Archaic hunters (10,820 yr B.P.-ca. 8500 yr B.P.) inhabited the Altiplano (high Puna) and its western slope, where water was available due to higher river runoff from the Altiplano, and the resources in different elevation zones were accessible. Natural resources decreased significantly during the middle Archaic period (8500-ca. 5000 yr B.P.). Lakes receded to today's levels, pedogenesis in the Altiplano terminated, and human activities were restricted to the most stable sites in the Rio Lao and the Rio Purifica catchments north of 23"s. The less stable oases south of 23"s (Salar de Atacama and Punta Negra) were abandoned. The climatic changes are best explained by shifts of the (sub)tropical circulation. Q

Estudios A tacam eños N°17 -1999 Un ecorefugio oportunístico en la puna de Atacama durante eventos áridos del Holoceno Medio L a u t a r o N ú ñ e z A . 1, M a r t in G r o s j e a n 2 e I s a b e l C a r t a j e n a F.-1

ResumenSe plantea un micro análisis espacial para evaluar la movilidad de recursos entre los asentamientos de los valles endorreicos y los enclaves del litoral arreico durante el periodo Intermedio Tardío, a través del tráfico caravanero intermodal en el desierto central de Atacama. En un marco de armonía social, la circulación vial asociada a ritos geo-simbólicos caracterizó a estos asentamientos "insulares" a través de grupos que ejercieron permanencias prolongadas con retorno a sus cabeceras. La territorialidad del Complejo Pica-Tarapacá incorporó nodos productivos en el Pacífico aledaño a través de circuitos asociados a sitios domésticos y rituales inter asentamientos. Se describen los indicadores de movilidad: materialidades, campamentos, dietas, contextos funerarios y ritos rupestres que establecen conexiones entre los cementerios del oasis de Pica, los campamentos intermediarios de Pintados, Soronal y los cementerios costeros de Patillos y Bajo Molle. Se concluye que segmentos de la población del oasis de Pica intensificaron los traslados por pasajes estériles de interfluvio, en donde ejercieron permanencias temporales en coexistencia con las poblaciones locales, moviendo excedentes alimentarios terrestres y marí-timos. La complejidad de estas operaciones indicaría la vigencia de liderazgo sociopolítico local controlado y ampliado durante el régimen incaico. Palabras claves: Tráfico de recursos -oasis costa arreicamovilidad internodal -periodo Intermedio Tardío.Abstract A micro spatial analysis is proposed to evaluate the circulation of resources between endorheic valleys settlements and coastal desert enclaves, through the caravan intermodal traffic in the Atacama Desert during the Late Intermediate Period. Within a harmonious social context, road circulation associated with geo-symbolic rites characterized these "island" settlements. While occupying permanent home bases, these groups also practiced longterm halts along these roads. The Pica-Tarapacá Complex's territoriality incorporated productive nodes in the Pacific through circuits associated with domestic sites and inter settlements rituals. We describe mobility indicators: materialities, camps, diets, funerary contexts, and rock art rites.These indicators establish connections between the oasis cemeteries of Pica, the intermediary camps of Pintados, Soronal and the coastal cemeteries of Patillos and Bajo Molle. We conclude that a segment of the Pica oasis population intensified their use of interfluvial sterile passages, where they occupied temporary halts in coexistence with local communities, and transported terrestrial and maritime food surplus. The complexity of these operations suggests the presence of a local socio-political leadership, which was later controlled and expanded during the Inca regime.

A series of nonceramic sites is described for the purpose of indicating the nature of the resources to be found along the western margin of the Andean precordillera in northern Chile. Artifacts recovered from several sites are similar to those designated Ayampitin and Lauricocha from other regions in Andean South America. Strong ties are suggested between coastal and interior sites, due either to trade relationships between separate groups or to the same peoples occupying a series of site locations on a seasonal round. Detailed studies that hopefully will clarify these relationships are in process. Information on permanent agricultural settlements in this same region will be presented in a future summary.

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