The Archaeofauna of the El Pichao site (Sector III, Units 1 and 2), Tucumán province, Northwestern Argentina

NORMA NASIF; CLAUDIA GÓMEZ CARDOZO

Tapphonomy and Zooarchaeology in Argentina

British Archaeological Reports, BAR - Achaeopress

Lugar: Oxford; Año: 2007;

The results of the preliminary analysis of the El Pichao site archaeofaunal record are presented here. This site is located in the Northern sector of Santa Maria valley, Northwestern Argentina. Its chronology corresponds to the Regional Development Period, Late Santamariana culture (1,000-1,500 AD), extending until the Indigenous Hispanic Period. The studied samples proceed from habitational structures. The architectonical design of the structures consists of a rectangle with added minor semicircular structures limited by stone walls. The remains are analyzed from the taxonomic (different represented animal groups), anatomical (present skeletal parts) and of observable attributes (heat alteration, marks, manufactured signs, etc.). The analyzed record is highly fragmentary; a great amount of remains are burnt or calcined and with a poor state of preservation. The identified faunal assemblage is formed by mammals (camelids, goats or sheeps, rodents, armadillos, foxes, dogs and ferrets), birds (ñandúes or suríes, owls and flamingos) and terrestrial molluscs. The tools are made on camelid bones; a regular pattern of some ornamental designs in different sites of Northwestern Argentina is recognized, and previous inferences about controlled use of the fire as a technique in the bone instrument manufacture are supported. Previous archaeological interpretations about the function of the structures are discussed.