The contribution of copro-palynology to palaeoecological reconstructions in CCP7 early occupations

VELÁZQUEZ NADIA JIMENA; BURRY LIDIA SUSANA

La Plata

Simposio; V Simposio Internacional. El poblamiento temprano de América: a un siglo del debate Ameghino-Hrdlika; 2010

Universidad Nacional de La Plata

The finding of coprolites in Cerro Casa de Piedra 7 (47º 57´S, 72º05´O-PN Perito Moreno, Santa Cruz) allowed the introduction of parasitological, histological, and palynological studies. The latter permits the formulation of inferences on diet, occupational phases of the site and reconstructions of the living organisms´environment. The objectives of this work are the analysis of the pollen composition of the new coprolites compatible with those of camelids, associated to two archaeological layers CCP7 (8920 200 9640 190 14C years BP, and the comparision of results with previous studies. The extraction was made through acetolysis; the identification and counting of pollen grains was performed. Remains of plant tissues were found. Pollen spectra of coprolites were compared between them and with those contemporary sediments. The results indicated: 1. predominance of steppe taxa: Empetrum rubrum, Asteraceae subfam. Asteroideae, Poaceae, Caryophyllaceae and Nassauvia, and to a lesser extent, forest taxa: Nothofagus and Podocarpus, 2. differences in the coprolites'pollen concentration of the same layer, and 3. differences between layer of the most abundant pollen types. The analysis of pollen and the identification of plant remains allowed the diet reconstruction and the time of the utilisation of the site. Moreover, the contribution of these studies to palaeoenvironment reconstructions was evaluated.