Chorology of Patagonian microfauna: its meaning on the taphonomy and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of archaeological sites

SALEMME, MÓNICA; MIOTTI, LAURA; MOREIRA, GERMÁN

QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL

Elsevier

Año: 2007 p. 1 - 22

1040-6182

ABSTRACT Microvertebrates have been recurrently used in paleoenvironmental reconstruction of archaeological sites, assuming that they are better indicators than macrovertebrates to infer environmental changes along extended time scales. Microfauna from archaeological information presently available for Patagonian steppe sites does not show high sensitivity for a sequence ranging from late Pleistocene to the late Holocene. This has been corroborated both in open air sites and in caves, though proxy data (pollen, sediments, paleosoils, sea-level changes) indicate strong environmental changes since the beginning of human occupation in this region. The actualistic analysis of Strigiform pellets, recovered both in stratigraphy as in the proximities of archaeological sites, shows that in Southern Patagonian steppe (lat. 47º to 48º S) microfauna has not significatively changed at least in the last 12 kyr. Data º to 48º S) microfauna has not significatively changed at least in the last 12 kyr. Data of different microenvironments in caves and rock shelters in wetlands (.mallines.) of .mallines.) of La Primavera locality and rock shelters near a salt lake at Piedra Museo Locality will be summarized in this paper. Key Words: Chorology, Patagonian microfauna, palaeoenvironments, archaeological sites