The Southern spread of pre-Hispanic agriculture in South American lowlands: the Delta of the Parana River (Argentina)

BONOMO, M.

Congreso; World Archaeological Congress 7; 2013

This paper focuses on the south-western limit of pre-Hispanic agriculture in the lowlands of the Americas. Traditionally, mounds within the Delta of the Paraná River were assumed to be occupied throughout prehistory by hunter-gatherers. Until recently, understanding of agriculture was only possible through written documents from early Colonial period. This paper presents the results of starch and phytolith analysis of sediments, pottery and lithics from Late Holocene archaeological sites of the Delta. Direct evidence of maize, beans, squashes, tubers (Canna) and probably manioc were identified. Finally, proposed hypothesis that agriculture was a consequence of the Guarani farmers arrival was discussed.