INVESTIGADORES
KAUFMANN Cristian Ariel
artículos
Título:
Thorn Lesions in a Modern Osteological Collection of Guanaco (Lama guanicoe): A New Paleoenviromental Proxy and Its Implications for Archaeofaunal Assemblages
Autor/es:
RAFUSE, D.; KAUFMANN, C. A.; FLENSBORG, G.
Revista:
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology
Editorial:
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Referencias:
Año: 2013 vol. 23 p. 348 - 358
ISSN:
1047-482X
Resumen:
This paper provides a detailed analysis of thorn lesions found in lower limb elements of a modern osteological
collection of guanaco (Lama guanicoe). Four types of lesions were recorded: (1) thorns visible on the bone
surface, (2) bony reaction with relief, (3) small negative scars and (4) medium negative scars. The methods
used to recognise, record and quantify these lesions are presented. As a result, 35 of the 36 individuals analyzed
contained one or more types of lesions. The highest concentrations of lesions were recorded on the anterior
view of the metacarpal shafts. All the age ranges were affected by lesions; however, individuals
between the ages of 1 and 3years were the most affected, whereas those between the ages of 0 and 1year
contained the least amount of lesions. To provide examples of how thorn lesions can be identified and used
as a paleoenvironmental proxy in the fossil record, we analyzed two archaeological sites from different phytogeographic
provinces: Bajo de la Quinta (Monte phytogeographic province) and Calera (Pampa phytogeographic
province). Results found that 25% of the elements from the Bajo de la Quinta site contained
lesions, whereas none of the elements from the Calera site showed evidence of lesions. When detectable
in the fossil record, thorn lesions can provide an indirect approximation of the paleoenvironment.