Methodological proposal to identify irrigation Canals using diatoms as biomarkers: Peñas Coloradas(Antofagasta de la Sierra, Southern Puna Argentina).

GRANA LORENA; COHEN, M. LORENA; MAIDANA, NORA I.

Physical, Chemical and Biological Proxies in Argentina Archaeology: Theory, Methods and Applications

British Archaeological Reports

Lugar: Oxford; Año: 2014; p. 73 - 86

Studies about prehispanic irrigation canals have an important role in the agricultural landscape reconstruction in archaeological investigations. However, these types of  evidence are characterized in  many areas by their low  visibility  and  poor  preservation,  rendering  difficult  their  recognition  and  subsequent  study.  For  this reason, it is necessary to generate diverse independent methodologies. Therefore the study aims to propose a new  methodological  tool  suitable  for  the  use  of  biomarkers,  such  as  diatom  assemblages,  for  the identification and characterization of ancient irrigation canals. We have analysed a furrow-like feature lying in proximity to the archaeological site of Peñas Coloradas (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Argentina), to evaluate which  aspects  of  the  diatom  analysis  (specific  composition,  absolute  abundances,  preservation  stages  of valves) are relevant to achieving this objective. Our results suggest that the analysis of the composition and abundance  of  diatom assemblages and their comparison  with  modern analogues  was found to be useful  for identifying the existence of ancient canals and thus, of archaeological water management. Besides, we have statistically proven that the degree of valve preservation was not a suitable tool for this type of investigation. This study has presented the first evidence for this type of archaeological hydraulic technology ever found in the locality and the sub-basin Las Pitas.