Wood remains from Andean Argentina: the use of Prosopis sp. in hut constriction

CAPPARELLI A., ZAGORODNY, N. Y BALESTA

JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY

Society of Ethnobiology

Lugar: Texas; Año: 2003 p. 143 - 154

0278-0771

A desiccated fragmented wooden post, part of the structure of a hut, from the archaeological site of Carrizal de Azampay, Department of Belén, Province of Catamarca, Argentina, was identified and interpreted. The material was broken manually for the analysis. Transverse, radial and tangential sections were examined with a Stereoscopic and Incident Light Microscope and SEM. The remains were identified as either Prosopis flexuosa DC or P. chilensis (Mol.) L. Stuntz, both of which are common species in the study area. This paper confirms the prehistoric use of this genus in construction and analyzes the function of the post as a part of the hut structure. In addition, recent changes in the utilization of both cultivated and native tree species are discussed. Key words. Andean Region, Argentina, archaeological wood, Prosopis.