Pre-Hispanic settlements in hydrometeorologically susceptible areas during the late Holocene: The Upper Delta of the Paraná River Case.

BLASI, A.; BASTOURRE, L.; APOLINAIRE, E.; POLITIS, G.; CASTIÑEIRA, C.; BONOMO, M.; MARI, F.

HOLOCENE (SEVENOAKS)

SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD

Año: 2017 vol. 27 p. 1801 - 1811

0959-6836

In this paper we present the results of the geoarchaeological studiescarried out in two archaeological localities of the Upper Delta of the ParanáRiver (Argentina). The main objective of these studies is to depict the pre-Hispanic strategies involved in the colonization and settlement of southernSouth America wetlands. Paraná Delta is one of the most conspicuousareas of these lowlands and comprises a large wetland macrosystem. Itscurrent geomorphological configuration was established after the lasttransgressive mid-Holocene event circa 600014C yr BP. In thisenvironment a high ecological heterogeneity, with diverse and abundanttropical and temperate biota, was developed. These features wereimportant factors to the human colonization and utilization of thesewetlands. However, this environment has the highest hydrometeorologicalsusceptibility of La Plata basin. This susceptibility had an impact onsettlement systems and resource exploitation strategies established in thearea since at least 200014C yr BP. These strategies involved at least twosettlement types: semi-permanent residential camps and transitory campsoriented to exploit particular resources. The semi-permanent settlementswere located in anthropogenic elevated mounds, locally known as?cerritos", and were not subjected to seasonal inundations. Conversely, thetransitory camps are found in levees exposed to recurrent flooding.