Guanaco Hunting Strategies in the Southeastern Pampas during the Late Holocene

KAUFMANN, C. A; ALVAREZ, M. C.; MESSINEO, P. G.; BARROS, M. P.; BONOMO, M.; HEIDER, G.

ANCIENT HUNTING STRATEGIES IN SOUTHERN SOUTH AMERICA

Springer

Lugar: New York; Año: 2021; p. 83 - 112

In this chapter we discuss the strategies used by hunter-gatherers to captureguanaco (Lama guanicoe) in the southeastern Pampas during the LateHolocene (ca. 3500 to 500 14C years BP). We summarize the analysis ofdifferent lines of evidence (e.g., mortality and skeletal part profiles, sexstructure, and weapons systems) obtained from four archaeological sites; threeassociated with the initial Late Holocene (ca. 3400-1700 14C years BP; Calera,Nutria Mansa 1, and Empalme Querandíes 1) and one with the final LateHolocene (ca. 1300-80014C years BP; Hangar). Results indicate that during theinitial Late Holocene, the guanaco hunting tactics were focused on familygroups and troops of males. At this time, bola stones were more frequentlyused as thrown weapons. On the other hand, during the final Late Holocene,there is a significant quantity of small triangular projectile points linked with the use of bow and arrow, indicating a change in the Pampas weapon systems.The landscape geomorphology in which some of the archaeological sites arelocated allows us to suggest the use of active traps during the Late Holocene.River junctions and dune ridges were places where it would have been possible to enclose the principal prey of pre-Hispanic indigenous populations thatinhabited the Pampas for millennia.