Carbon, nitrogen and oxygen stable isotope compositions of South American camelids bones from the archaeological site of Hornillos 2 (Dry Puna, Argentina)

CELESTE SAMEC; HUGO YACOBACCIO

Ankara

Conferencia; 13th ICAZ International Conference; 2018

Hornillos 2 is a rock-shelter located at the Dry Puna area in the Northwestern corner of Argentina and it presents nine human occupational levels dated to the Early and the Mid-Holocene (from 9710 to 6130 years BP). Abundant bone remains assigned to South American camelids were recovered at these layers and a sample was selected to be the subject of stable isotope analyses. Previous results measured on bone collagen extracted from these materials revealed the absence of significant differences in the d13C values from both chronological periods, although d15N values presented statistically significant differences. This pattern was explained considering the environmental change that occurred during the Mid-Holocene, which led to more arid conditions that modified the nitrogen cycle on a regional scale. In this work, we present new d13C and d18O values measured on bone apatite from the same archaeofaunistic materials, aiming to discuss changes in camelids? diet and mobility and their link to environmental change. Overall, the new results presented here will allow us to discuss the particular characteristics of human subsistence strategies in this area within the South-Central Andes, aiming to understand the development and evolution of the relationship between human groups and South American camelids in a context of profound changes within the Puna ecosystem.