Chronology and human settlement in northeastern Patagonia (Argentina): Patterns of site destruction, intensity of archaeological signal, and population dynamics

MARTÍNEZ, G.; FLENSBORG, G.; BAYALA, P. D.

QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2013 p. 123 - 134

1040-6182

Temporal frequency distributions are used to assess the chronology and continuity of human occupation at different spatial scales, differential landscape use and demographic patterns throughout time. These issues were addressed by applying the summed of radiocarbon probability distributions method to the north- eastern sector of Patagonia (Argentina). This sector was divided into three microregions: the lower course of the Colorado River, themouth and themiddle and lower course ofNegro River, and the north coast of San Matías Gulf. Differences in the chronology of the occupations are observed when considering individually the three micro-regions. Also, differences are recorded regarding the chronological pattern obtained from coastal and inland sectors. These differences are mainly the outcome of specific geomorphological pro- cesses operating in different sectors of landscape that generated taphonomic bias. Siteswere differentially impacted by taphonomic factors and the recognition of older sites than Middle and Late Holocene is difficult. Despite the detection of taphonomic biases, it is proposed that the higher intensity of the archaeological signal for the Final Late Holocene (ca. 600e400 cal BP) would be the result of higher pop- ulation densities. It is suggested that chronological patterns obtained by temporal frequency distributions should be strengthened by independent evidence provided by qualitative information on the reorgani- zation of hunteregatherer societies (e.g.; changes in burial practices, subsistence, technology, etc.), indispensable to better evaluate the increase in population size and prehistoric demography.