Isotopic Ecology in the Northern Patagonian Deserts of Neuquén (Argentina)

M. N. QUIROGA; A. TESSONE; C. LLANO; A. GASCO; F. GORDÓN; R. BARBERENA

Vista Flores, Mendoza

Conferencia; 4th Southern Deserts Conference; 2014

Laboratorio de Paleoecología Humana (FCEyN-UNCUYO)

In this poster we present δ13C and δ15N values for bone faunal samples from northern Patagonia (Neuquén Province, Argentina). The aim is to build a regional isotopic ecology from the Late Pleistocene?Early Holocene transition to the Late Holocene, in order to providing paleoecological data and reconstructing human paleodiets. We obtained isotopic values for 23 samples of the wild camelid guanaco (Lama guanicoe), which was the main food resource for humans in the past. Most of these samples are from the archaeological site Cueva Huenul 1, which is located in the ecotone between the Monte and Patagonia phytogeographical provinces. The information produced is interpreted in the framework of regional botanical surveys that show the differential density of species with C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways in this area. Our results suggest the possible existence of temporal variations in the consumption of these plants by guanacos, which would have a paleoecological significance. This work contributes to a future integration of various lines of analysis (e.g., isotopic ecology, pollen data, and rodent middens) aimed at the reconstruction of the paleoecological framework of the human settlement in northwestern Patagonia.