Isotopic archaeology in the western Pampas (Argentina): preliminary results and perspectives

Abstract

Different lines of archaeological research have been developed in order to increase our knowledge of the history of the hunter-gatherer societies that inhabited the western Pampas of central Argentina, South America, during the Late Holocene. Recently, stable isotope data from human remains have been included. This paper presents the first group of d C and d15 N results obtained for this region. On this basis we identify spatial and chronological patterns that may have interesting implications at the levels of spatial organisation and temporal changes. Then, we evaluate the existence of correlations with other lines of archaeological evidence. Finally, we propose an agenda for future work including the generation of a robust regional isotopic ecology that will provide the context for the development of specific dietary reconstructions.

Trends in oral pathology of hunter-gatherers from Western Pampas, Argentina

“…However, the observed differences could also be related to other aspects, such as sexual differences in food consumption, the probable use of medicinal plants with antibiotic, anesthetic and hygienic properties, and the systematic use of the dentition as a third hand, which were not studied in this work but deserve future detailed research. Furthermore, isotopic data indicate that there are not great variations in diets between sexes (Berón et al, 2009). All these lines of analysis should be evaluated in depth in the future to complement the information available.…”

“…(e.g. Berón, 2004Berón, , 2007Luna et al, 2004Luna et al, , 2008Luna and Aranda, 2005;Luna, 2006Luna, , 2008Luna, , 2010Aranda, 2007;Berón and Luna, 2007;Berón et al, 2009Berón et al, , 2012a.…”

Interpretative potential of dental metrics for biodistance analysis in hunter-gatherers from central Argentina. A theoretical-methodological approach

“…It was used by hunter-gatherer societies during the end of the Late Holocene, between 1050 and 290 years BP (Berón et al, 2015). It is one of the most important pre-Columbian burial places in the country, given the high mortuary diversity identified, the complexity of the social processes inferred and the fact that more than 200 individuals were buried in it, including both complete skeletons and a large amount of commingled and fragmented bones and teeth recovered (Berón, 2007;Berón et al, 2009Berón et al, , 2012Luna, 2006Luna, , 2010Luna, , 2012.…”

Taking care in prehistoric Latin America: A case study of care giving among hunter-gatherers in the Final Late Holocene

“…The proposed reduction in residential mobility is consistent with the grave goods found at Chenque 1. Items found were made from raw materials sourced at a great distance: from the Atlantic coast, the trans-Andean region and multiple other areas-the combination of which results in a travel radius of at least 150 kilometres (Luna et al 2008;Politis 2008;Beron et al 2009). As this range of group mobility is unlikely, it supports the idea that the circulation of 'exotic material with highly symbolic value' (Politis 2008:254) is evidence of trade between different hunter-gatherer groups inhabiting various areas in the region as opposed to evidence of extended mobility (Beron et al 2009).…”