Small vertebrates in archaeological contexts from arid semiarid zones. The lower basin of the Colorado River (Buenos Aires province, Argentina) as case study

ALCARAZ, ANA PAULA

Workshop; II SPANning the Atlantic: Human Palaeodemography in Southern Hemisphere Drylands; 2017

Zooarchaeological and taphonomic studies conducted by the applicant take place in the eastern Pampa-Patagonia transition, in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This sector of study corresponds to an arid-semiarid ecotonal area crossed by an allochthonous river (Colorado River). The available evidence shows that the human occupation of the area ranges from the Middle Holocene (ca. 6300-4100 years BP) to the Late Holocene (ca. 3000-250 years BP). The archaeological materials are recorded in different contexts, including superficial accumulations in deflation holes (blowouts) that forms palimpsests, and remains in stratigraphic position, with a higher resolution and integrity. Faunal assemblages are represented by large-sized animals (the artiodactyls Guanaco and Pampas deer, and large birds such as Ñandú) and small-sized vertebrates (