Estudio Intrasitio De Un Yacimiento Arcaico Con Arquitectura en La Costa De Taltal, Desierto De Atacama, Norte De Chile

Abstract

El surgimiento y proliferación de arquitectura doméstica y funeraria en la costa desértica de Atacama constituye uno de los procesos sociales con mayor atención en la historia de la investigación del Norte Grande de Chile, siendo este un fenómeno que transcurre en un momento acotado de la secuencia prehispánica de la zona (ca. 5700-4000 cal. AP). A fin de profundizar en las particularidades de este periodo, se presenta el estudio intrasitio de Caleta Bandurrias, ubicado en el tramo costero de Taltal-Paposo. Desde el análisis de distintas líneas de evidencia, se discuten las actividades desarrolladas en el yacimiento, así como los patrones de subsistencia y la organización tecnológica de los cazadores recolectores pescadores que lo habitaron. Los resultados obtenidos y su consecuente evaluación en el marco del patrón de asentamiento regional, sugieren el uso residencialfunerario y/o de agregación social del sitio, así como un modo particular de aproximación al litoral mediante una estrategia de movilidad residencial coordinada en torno a la disponibilidad de recursos locales y a dichos espacios construidos. Palabras claves: cazadores recolectores pescadores, arquitectura funeraria, campamento residencial, costa del desierto de Atacama. The emergence and proliferation of domestic and funerary constructions on the Atacama Desert coast, which takes place for a short time of the pre-Hispanic period of the region (ca. 5700-4000 cal. BP), is a social process and architectural phenomenon that attracts much of the attention of the archaeological research of Northern Chile. To delve into the unique characteristics of this period, an intrasite study of the Caleta Bandurrias site (Taltal) is presented. The analysis of different lines of evidence suggests activities, subsistence patterns, and technological organization of local hunter gatherer fishers inhabiting the area. The results, and their subsequent analysis within a context of regional settlement, suggest a residential-funerary use and/or social aggregation function of the site, as well as a particular type of advance towards the coast through a residential mobility strategy based on the availability of local resources and built environment.

Ritual stone‐built architecture and shell midden foundation: A semisubterranean structure in hyperarid Atacama Desert coast, Northern Chile

“…Faunal remains show taxonomic abundance comparable to those species recorded in Mid‐Holocene shell middens of the hyperarid coast of North of Chile, uncritically interpreted as the domestic refuse‐derived from hunting, gathering, fishing, and food consumption‐related activities (Ballester et al, 2018; Béarez et al, 2016; Castelleti, 2007; Olguín 2014; Olguín et al, 2014, 2015; Power & Salazar, 2020; Rebolledo et al, 2016). As we are dealing with complex reworked deposits, we cannot be sure if all the studied faunal remains resulted from the daily activities performed on‐site.…”

“…However, our study and diverse lines of evidence allow us to discuss if these structures were actually used as long‐term dwellings. First, the lack of large refuse middens contemporary with the structures seems to be a shared characteristic of many architectural sites in the study region (Bustos, 1974; Llagostera, 1989, 2013; Núñez, 1971; Contreras et al, 2011; Power & Salazar, 2020, among others); heavily contrasted with the large Middle Archaic shell middens (Núñez, 1971; Power & Salazar, 2020; Salazar et al, 2020). Second, published stone‐structures seem to lack the long‐term infrastructure or residential by‐products traditionally associated with residential architecture, that is, storage features, intramural hearths, beds or sleeping benches, living floors, discrete activity areas, and/or significant secondary refuse areas, among others (Kent, 1991, 1992).…”

“…It is worth noting that although mortuary deposition and building are relatively synchronous events, one action may have preceded or succeeded the other. Burial pits dug into barren earth deposits have been reported in Caleta Huelén‐42 (Zlatar, 1987), Aguada Gualaguala‐4 (Ballester et al, 2018), Los Bronces‐1 (Contreras et al, 2007; Llagostera & Llagostera, 2010), and Caleta Bandurrias site (Power & Salazar, 2020). As it seems a recurrent practice for coastal communities of the study region, we suggest an implicit intention to modify the local topography and move towards sterile deposits to place the dead. …”

“…Presently, at least 15 architectonic settlements are known along 800 km of coastline, generally interpreted as villages (Bustos, 1974; Contreras et al, 2007, 2008; Contreras et al, 2011; Núñez, 1984; Núñez & Santoro, 2011; Núñez et al, 1974) or as long‐term camps (Ballester & Gallardo, 2011; Ballester et al, 2017, 2018; Castelleti, 2007; Castro et al, 2016; Salazar et al, 2015) (Figure 1a). Nevertheless, recent research has questioned this interpretation and has suggested instead that these sites may have been persistent places for multiband aggregation cyclical events (Power & Salazar, 2020).…”

“…Despite the apparent established consensus on the function of these stone structures, some authors have questioned the assumed sedentary lifeway of these communities based on the absence of site formation processes, seasonality studies, accurate age control, and reliable dates (Power & Salazar, 2020; see also Llagostera, 1989, 2013; Zlatar, 1983). Additionally, there has been an overwhelming reliance on site variability, whereas sediments have not been systematically studied as material culture (Goldberg & Macphail, 2006).…”