Early Human Occupation in the Southern Part of the Deseado Massif (Pagagonia, Argentina).

FRANCO, NORA VIVIANA; AMBRÚSTOLO, PABLO; MARTUCCI, MARILINA; BROOK, GEORGE; MANCINI, MARÍA VIRGINIA; CIRIGLIANO, NATALIA

Current Research in the Pleistocene

Center for the Study of the First Americans

Lugar: Texas; Año: 2010 vol. 27 p. 13 - 16

8755-898X

Human occupation sites dating to the Pleistocene-Holocene transition have been identified in the Deseado Massif, Patagonia. However, south of the Massif, the earliest evidence of human occupation dates to the early Holocene. There has been no previous systematic archaeological research in the Deseado Massif south of El Verano and La Martita Cave 4 sites. However, this area is crucial to our understanding of the initial peopling of southern Patagonia because, although the Massif contains numerous caves as well as excellent rocks for flintknapping, similar resources are scarce to the south. Here we present information of the area of La Gruta, which is located in the southern part of the Deseado Massif, just north of the Chico River. Evidences coming from a small cave, discovered in the cliff wall of one closed depression that contains a seasonal lagoon, indicate that the southern part of the Deseado Massif was being utilized by human populations at least by 10,845 ± 61 RCYBP or 12,890–12,600 CALYBP. La Gruta rockshelter would have provided protection from the wind and given an excellent view of the nearby area. The size of the site and hearths, as well as artifact characteristics, suggest that during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition the cave was used repeatedly for short periods of time by a few to several people. These people probably used the cave for shelter during hunting trips and to sight prey.