Taphonomic and archaeological aspects of massive mortality processes in guanaco (Lama guanicoe) caused by winter stress in southern Patagonia

BELARDI, JUAN BAUTISTA; RINDEL, DIEGO DAMIAN

Quaternary International

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2008 p. 38 - 51

1040-6182

The taphonomic and archeological implications of massive mortality patterns of guanaco (Lama guanicoe) populations due to winterstress are discussed, considering both local and regional scales. The presentation has its focus in the Lake Cardiel basin, SouthernPatagonia, Argentina. Winter stress is not an unusual event in Patagonian ecosystems and it produces a seasonal and predictable output:a huge number of dead guanacos in certain loci.Five faunal assemblages formed in 2000 are discussed, three in rock shelters and two at open-air settings, considering guanacoindividuals/bone preservation, age and sex structure, death positions, degree of interment, carnivore damages, trampling marks, and theassociation between guanaco individuals/bones and archeological material (mainly lithic artifacts). Conditions exist for the comminglingof naturally formed guanaco bone assemblages and archeological materials. The taphonomic signature of this mortality pattern isanalysed, and criteria developed that allow identification of the potential mixture between archeological material and modern guanacobones. From an archeological point of view, the potential scavenging opportunities brought by these guanaco mortality events to huntergathererpopulations are explored.In sum, the results of this study are twofold. First, it brings new data on the regional taphonomy of guanacos and its implications forthe archeological record. Second, it invites consideration of these mass mortality events in the context of strategies employed by huntergathererpopulations to cope with their environment.