Paleoparasitology studies and zoonoses in meridional Patagonia, Argentina

MARTÍN H. FUGASSA , RICARDO A. GUICHÓN, GUILLERMO M. DENEGRI, NORMA H. SARDELLA, ADAUTO ARAÚJO

Teguise, Lanzarote, España.

Congreso; VI World Congress on Mummy Studies; 2007

Up to the moment, few mummified bodies in Patagonian archaeological sites were found. Bones are most commonly found. Therefore, bioanthropological studies must be performed in bones and skeletons, or even in other organic remains. Preserved organic remains may bring to light many biocultural aspects about ancient populations. This paper deals with paleoparasitological studies carried out in southern Patagonia, Argentina, with a paleoecological approach. Pleistocene-Holocene transition up to the European contact was focused by parasite findings in the region. Fifteen nematode genera were identified, three cestode genera, and one ectoparasite Acari. Some of these parasites are reported for the first time in Argentina. Moniezia and Demodex were recorded for the first time in archaeological remains. Results are bringing evidences to the biogeographic history of some parasites, as well as for the ecology and the importance of zoonoses to the paleoepidemiolgy of human groups in meridional Patagonia.