Holocene Taphonomy at Paso Otero 1 on the Eastern Pampas of Argentina

E. JOHNSON; M. GUTIERREZ; G. POLITIS; GUSTAVO MARTÍNEZ; W. T. HARTWELL

Proceedings of the 1993 Bone Modification Conference, Hot Springs, South Dakota

Occasional Publication Nro. 1. Archaeology Laboratory, Augustana College. Sioux Falls

Lugar: South Dakota; Año: 1997; p. 105 - 121

RESUMEN: Holocene taphonomy al Paso Otero 1 on the eastern Pampas of Argentina Paso Otero 1 (Necochea District, Buenos Aires Province) is located on the left bank (cutbank) of the Río Quequén Grande. In general, the stratigraphic sequence for Paso Otero 1 is similar to that of the fluvial valleys of the Pampean plains. However, al Paso Otero 1, stratified lacustrine deposits in the early Holocene Río Salado member (Luján Formation) record three major periods of stable landscapes in wet meadow environments adjacent to the river. Test excavations between 1989 and 1991 revealed four bone piles that yielded about 3.200 elements that represent parts of 20 individuals ranging in age from fetal to adult. Bone orientation in three of these piles has been reconstructed from field drawings in order to address the question of the role of water in site formation. Preliminary results indicate that the bone piles are not the result of water accumulation. Both helical fracture (fresh, wet bone state) and horizontal tension failure (dry bone state) have occurred. Carnivore modifications appear particularly significant due to the lack of large carnivores in the Pampean Holocene record. Solution pitting is a significant post-burial modification that may be related to soil genesis. Soft-sediment abrasion generally co-occurs with the solution pitting. Cut lines, not yet confirmed through SEM analysis, are rare but would indicate both skinning and defleshing activities. Exfoliation, indicate aerial weathering , occurs overall on a small percentage of the bone examined but that percentage appears to vary from bone pile to bone pile. Desiccation split-lines, however, appear to be common and also to have been exacerbated by sub-aerial weathering (calcium carbonate leaching) and excavation/storage conditions. The significance of the study lies in the use of taphonomic data to document the potentially first-excavated (and only known) guanaco kill/butchering site in Argentina.