Interdisciplinary evidence for early domestic horse exploitation in southern Patagonia

Abstract

The introduction of domestic horses transformed Indigenous societies across the grasslands of Argentina, leading to the emergence of specialized horse cultures across the Southern Cone. However, the dynamics of this introduction are poorly chronicled by historic records. Here, we apply archaeozoological and biomolecular techniques to horse remains from the site of Chorrillo Grande 1 in southern Argentina. Osteological and taphonomic analyses suggest that horses were pastorally managed and used for food by Aónikenk/Tehuelche hunter-gatherers before the onset of permanent European settlement, as early as the mid-17th century. DNA-based sex identifications suggest consumption of both male and female horses, while ceramic residue also shows use of guanaco products. Sequential isotope analyses on horse dentition reveal an origin in southern Patagonia and movement of these animals between the Río Coig and Río Gallegos basins. These results reinforce emerging evidence for rapid Indigenous-mediated dispersal of horses in the Americas and demonstrate that horses catalyzed rapid economic and social transformations.

Effects of telemetry collars on two free-roaming feral equid species

“…The relationship of these equids with humans shifted to a more utilitarian role after European colonization in the 18 th and 19 th centuries [ 9 ]. Similarly, domestic burros were crucial for draft power and agriculture in South, Central, and North America after their introduction [ 10 ]. Eventually, owned domestic horses and burros were released or escaped to the wild becoming feral [ 11 ].…”

“…In 2013, the National Research Council advised more research was needed on several topics related to horse and burro management, including increased information on basic horse and burro ecology [19]. Since then, many studies have added to the body of knowledge on free-roaming equid ecology in North America [e.g., 10,[20][21][22][23], diet [24,25], behavior [26,27], and interactions with native wildlife [e.g., [28][29][30][31]]. Yet only a few studies have applied global positioning system (GPS) collar technology in studies of free-roaming equids in North America [10,20,32,33].…”

“…Since then, many studies have added to the body of knowledge on free-roaming equid ecology in North America [e.g., 10,[20][21][22][23], diet [24,25], behavior [26,27], and interactions with native wildlife [e.g., [28][29][30][31]]. Yet only a few studies have applied global positioning system (GPS) collar technology in studies of free-roaming equids in North America [10,20,32,33]. This is primarily because in a study conducted in the 1980s, collars caused some severe effects to individual horses, largely due to changes in neck sizes of stallions resulting from abnormally large weight gains from year 1 to year 2 of that study and the lack of a release mechanism on those collars [34].…”