The use of plant resources at early holocene in eastern tandilia range sites through phytolith analysis

MARÍA DE LOS MILAGROS COLOBIG; ALEJANDRO ZUCOL; DIANA MAZZANTI

La Plata

Simposio; V Simposio Internacional: El Hombre temprano en América: a cien años del debate Ameghino- Hrdlicka (1910- 2010); 2010

Universidad Nacional de La Plata

A comparative phytolith study of sedimentary profile samples from three early archaeological sites in eastern Tandilia range: Lobería I, site 1; Amalia, site 2, and Cueva Tixi site are presented. These sites are shelters formed by quartzite blocks outcrop in their walls and ceilings, with 1, 80 m thick (Lobería I, site 1), 2 m  (Amalia, site 2), and 0, 80 m (Cueva Tixi site) sedimentary counterfoil. Lobería I, site 1 and Amalia, site 2 presented evidence of ephemeral use with lithic material mainly, while inside Cueva Tixi site permanent occupations, with stone tools and faunal remains were recorded. In all cases charcoal samples which were dated by C14 (AMS) were recovered. Regarding phytolith record, graminoid affinity phytoliths were observed inside caves. Pooid, danthonioid and chloridoid elements with a higher relative abundance toward the base profile allow us to assume that there were more arid and cold- temperate conditions towards the Pleistocene - Holocene transition. The presence of morphotypes related to Palm in early occupations with inappropriate climatic conditions for their development would allow us to infer that this resource was anthropically introduced. The phytolith decreasing in abundance and variability towards the floor profiles indicate a less intensive use of the shelters in early occupations.