Explotación de roedores por las sociedades cazadoras-recolectoras de Patagonia durante el Holoceno tardío: de la evidencia arqueológica al registro histórico

Abstract

) LXXV, enero-junio; [107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124] Resumen: Los restos óseos de micromamíferos presentes en contextos arqueológicos nos hicieron reflexionar sobre aspectos relacionados con el modo de aprovechamiento y la duración de estas prácticas en Patagonia continental e insular. Este trabajo propone que ciertas especies de roedores caviomorfos fueron objeto de una explotación integral por parte de las sociedades cazadoras-recolectoras que habitaron Patagonia desde el Holoceno tardío. Del animal se empleaban sus huesos, carne y piel. A partir de la documentación disponible ha sido posible constatar que este hábito perduró hasta el siglo pasado. Además hemos comprobado que su recolección fue una actividad pautada por el género y el rango etario, vinculada con la reproducción biológica y social. Para fundamentar estas premisas se han realizado análisis tafonómicos sobre conjuntos de pequeños mamíferos y se ha revisado documentación en el registro histórico y etnográfico. La información corresponde a dos períodos: el colonial, ss. xvi-xviii y el independiente, ss. xix-xx. El usufructo que hicieron del recurso micromamíferos y su predilección quedaron registrados desde el primer episodio de contacto que se remonta a 1520. Para la etnia selk'nam del norte de Tierra del Fuego fue uno de los alimentos principales e incluso se consideró un manjar.Palabras clave: Argentina; roedores caviomorfos; tafonomía; aprovechamiento integral; cultura e ideología.Abstract: The small mammals observed in the archaeological records made us think about the way they were exploited and the extension of these practices in Patagonia, continental and insular. This paper proposes that some species of Caviomorpha rodents were intensively exploited by hunter-gatherers societies who lived in Patagonia since late Holocene. Bones, meat and skin of the animals were used. From the available documentation it has been possible to state this practice continued until last century. In addition we have verified the gathering activity was guided by sex and age, and linked with the biological and social reproduction. To give support to these assumptions we made taphonomic analysis on the small mammal assemblages and we revised historical and ethnographical documents. The information comes from two periods: colonial, s. xvi-xviii and independent, s. xix-xx. The use of small mammals and its predilection by Patagonian populations was recorded since the first contact episode back to 1520. For selk'nam people from northern Tierra del Fuego it became even one of the main food items and considered a delicacy.

Distinguishing between cultural and natural depositional agents: Micromammal taphonomy from the archaeological site Cueva y Paredón Loncomán (Patagonia, Argentina)

“…Numerous evidences from the ethno-historical record show that rodents were a very important item in the diet of Patagones and Selknam people from Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego provinces (Andrade and Boschín, 2015). Recent ethnographic data notes that rodents were consumed by humans in the area around CLO even until 1950 (Andrade and Boschín, 2015). The absence of cut marks on rodent's bones reveals no butchering related to processing techniques in CLO sequence, as was proposed for other areas (Quintana, 2005;Medina et al, 2011).…”

“…Antonio Pigafetta (1520), the Italian explorer Magellan's assistant of the voyage to the Indies, refers that Patagonian people ("Patagones" from southern Santa Cruz province) ate rats uncooked without skinning. Numerous evidences from the ethno-historical record show that rodents were a very important item in the diet of Patagones and Selknam people from Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego provinces (Andrade and Boschín, 2015). Recent ethnographic data notes that rodents were consumed by humans in the area around CLO even until 1950 (Andrade and Boschín, 2015).…”

Human Processing of Rodents in Patagonia: The Relevance of Historical and Ethnographical Data for Archaeological Interpretations

“…Their predilection for rodents was recorded since the first contact episode back to 1520. For the selk'nam people from northern Tierra del Fuego it became even one of the main food items and considered a delicacy [17]. The historical and ethnographical information comes from documents from c. XVI-XX written by priests, naturalists and ethnographers, who made the first contacts with the Patagonian indigenous societies.…”

“…Taking advantage of these ecological habits, animals were directly stalked at the entrance of their caves, using a pointed stick for their capture. In addition, this gathering activity was guided by sex and age, and linked with the biological and social reproduction [17]. This task oversaw women and children.…”

De manjar a alimaña: El consumo de piojos de la cabeza en pueblos indígenas de Patagonia (siglos dieciocho a veinte)

“…Hasta el siglo dieciocho inclusive, la mayor parte de las observaciones se originaron en encuentros esporádicos entre los viajeros y los indígenas en inmediaciones de la costa atlántica. En el caso de las poblaciones de la Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, la interacción comenzó hacia la segunda mitad del siglo diecinueve, produciéndose extensas descripciones sostenidas en el tiempo (Andrade y Boschín 2015).…”