Changing human-animal relations in the modern era: The case of guanacos in the arid Chaco, Córdoba province, Argentina

THIAGO SILVA FERREIRA DA COSTA; MARÍA PAULA WEIHMÜLLER; JESSICA MANZANO-GARCÍA

Modalidad online

Conferencia; Zooarchaeology of the Modern Era Online Conference; 2020

Newcastle University

Human?guanaco relations in the current territory of Córdoba province, in central Argentina, can betracked to at least 10.000 years BP. However, nowadays Lama guanicoe is extinct in much of theprovince, except for a small residual population that inhabits the surroundings of the salinedepression known as Salinas Grandes. The region belongs to arid Chaco ecoregion, a rural areawhere peasant dwellers? livelihood is generally based in domestic livestock and forest resources,where gathering and hunting are traditional practices. The aim of our study is to understand thetransformations in human?guanaco relations in the area, its changes, and continuities in thecontemporary past (late 20th century to present). For that purpose, we conducted a twofoldanalysis. A zooarchaeological analysis of a modern collection of 24 (MNI) guanacos, product ofhunting, processing, consumption, and disposal in a private field, was conducted. Additionally, weperformed semi-structured open (n = 34) and in depth (n = 16) interviews, at times with two or three interlocutors, and participant observation with local hunters (n = 8) to deepen our understanding of human?guanaco relations. Our results show changes regarding the hunting, processing, and usages of these ungulates mostly related to capitalist pressures and an increasing detachment from nature. Nevertheless, the symbolic and medicinal value of the species for the local community is highlighted as a sign of resistance against modern transformations.