Methodological Criteria for the Identification of Formation Processes in Guanaco (Lama guanicoe) Bone Assemblages in Fluvial-Lacustrine Environnments

M. A. GUTIÉRREZ; C. A. KAUFMANN

Journal of Taphonomy

Prometheus Press

Lugar: Tereul; Año: 2007 vol. 5 p. 151 - 176

1696-0815

The aim of this paper is to present and discuss the methodological criteria that may be useful to explore the role water has in the formation of the faunal record in fluvial and lacustrine environments. In this sense, the dispersion potential of the bones that constitute an adult and neonate guanaco (Lama guanicoe) skeletons in an aqueous means with very low hydraulic energy, is evaluated through an experimentation. The results that derive from it are integrated with other complementary criteria and applied to the bone assemblage recovered at Paso Otero1 site, placed on the ancient flood plain margin of the Quequén Grande River (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). The results of this study indicate that water was the main responsible agent for the guanaco bone accumulation in the site. It is proposed that some of the skeletal parts, which belong to guanaco carcasses that were processed and exploited by hunter-gatherers in areas close to the site, must have been added to those from the rest of the animals that died naturally. This resulted in a mixture of material both of natural and anthropic origin.