Taphonomic analysis of an assemblage of Lama guanicoe (Artiodactyla, Camelidae) from the Late Holocene (Pampean Region, Argentina)

FRONTINI, ROMINA; TOMASSINI, RODRIGO; BAYÓN, CRISTINA

San Rafael (Mendoza)

Conferencia; 12th International Conference of Archaeozoology; 2014

Museo de Historia Natural. International Council for Archaeozoology

The present work analyzes the taphonomic characteristics of an assemblage of Lama guanicoe recovered from the fluvial deposits of Chacra La Blanqueada Formation, at García del Río locality which is located in the middle valley of the Napostá Grande Creek (south of the Pampean Region, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). A radiocarbon date of 2342 ± 47 years BP allows the assignment of this assemblage to the late Holocene. The MNI and the population structure suggest the presence of a family group or part of a mixed group. The available evidence indicates that, throughout their taphonomic history, the remains were affected by processes related to a floodplain sub-environment. Also, the marks of anthropic activity suggest that the death of the animals was circumstantially used as a low-cost and low-risk resource, highlighting the relevant role of this species in the regional hunter-gatherer societies.