A Gap between Extinct Pleistocene Megafaunal Remains and Holocene Human Burial Contexts at Two Archaeological Sites in the Southern Argentine Puna

JORGE G. MARTÍNEZ; CARLOS A. ASCHERO; JAIME E. POWELL; PABLO TCHILINGUIRIÁN

Current research in the pleistocene

Center for the Study of the First Americans

Lugar: Texas A&M University; Año: 2007 vol. 24 p. 60 - 62

8755-898X

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Tahoma; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1627421319 -2147483648 8 0 66047 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Point type"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-alt:Tahoma; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:auto; mso-font-signature:147863 -1891367968 384251975 6483772 -1074317765 6483796;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 3.0cm 70.85pt 3.0cm; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> Recent investigations carried out in the southern Puna of northwest Argentina confirmed the presence of giant ground sloth (Megatheriinae) and Pleistocene horse (Hippidion sp.), which were dated to the late Pleistocene, between 13,350-12,510 RCYBP (three uncalibrated dates) (Martínez et al. 2004). These megafauna species, not previously reported above 3400 m a.s.l., were found in two high-altitude archaeological sites under study: Peñas de las Trampas 1.1 (PT1.1; 3582 m a.s.l.) and Cueva Cacao 1A (CC1A; 3730 m a.s.l.), both located in Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca, Argentina. The 14C dates were obtained on stratified megaherbivore dung samples very well-preserved because of the high dryness of this ecoregion (precipitation is less than 50 mm/year). The samples come from two rockshelters which also show evidence of Holocene human utilization after 10,000 RCYBP. The dung dates mark the final stage in the presence of these large mammals in this part of the Puna. Hence, the interpreted paleoecological and paleoenvironmental conditions for the late Pleistocene need to be restated for this area. The record of these species indicates that until 13,350-12,510 RCYBP there was a relatively high degree of effective humidity and high plant and biomass density capable of meeting the food requirements of these megahervibores. A recent 14C analysis of dung corresponding to layer 4 of excavation unit 2E of site PT1.1 yielded a date of 19,610±290 RCYBP (LP-1546). This layer is the earliest stratigraphic unit with dung, which is found on a sandy fine sediment of eolian origin. Hence, identification of the megafauna extends its presence in the area back to ca. 20,000 RCYBP, within the Last Glacial Maximum, and may provide an important beginning date for deglaciation at this elevation, which is according to paleoclimatic models designed for the Andean tropical zone (Paduano et al. 2003). In the study area, High-andean steppe is now found at 4200-4800 m a.s.l., but under these conditions, plant biomass likely increased locally with reference to dominant conditions of the glacial maximum. The archaeological context of occupations in both high-altitude rockshelter sites is linked to mortuary activities within the Holocene period. Although no sediment hiatus is observed in CC1A, there is a large interval of undated deposits between a date of 13,350±300 RCYBP (UGA-9075), corresponding to the megafauna, and material evidence of a burial offering ca. 3000 RCYBP (Olivera et al. 2003). There is no evidence of a sediment hiatus in PT1.1 either, but the interval between 14C-dated events is shorter. Radiocarbon dates corresponding to the upper layer of megafauna´s dung [12,920±190 RCYBP (UGA-9074) and 12,510±240 RCYBP (UGA-9258)] are succeeded by a date of 8440±40 RCYBP (UGA-9073) on a pit feature excavated into the dated upper stratum containing the Pleistocene megafauna dung. A large number of cultural elements found inside the oval feature in site PT1.1 gives evidence of an intentional deposit. The edge of the feature, which measures 95 x 65 cm, was lined with bundles of graminaceous plants which provided the sample yielding the 8440 RCYBP date. We assume that the archaeological remains inside correspond to this date. There were human bone fragments belonging to a minimum of three individuals in a multiple secondary burial. Their ages are estimated to vary from a newborn to a seven year-old child (M.G. Colaneri, pers. comm. 2006). The recovery of these human remains, among the oldest in northwest Argentina, is a valuable contribution to the analysis of paleobiological aspects of these individuals through the study of isotopic analysis (paleodiets), DNA, paleopathologies, etc., as well as a means to explore ancient mortuary practices in which the transport of certain anatomical parts of deceased persons may have been frequent. These human bones were found in association with garment pieces and other organic remains that were highly fragmented in spite of their excellent preservation. The set of handicrafts represented shows a remarkable variety of raw material utilization as well as important artisanal complexity. Among the findings there were chamois-like pieces of leather, painted red and sewn together; numerous necklace beads made from non-local plant seeds; red dyed mesh or net fragments painted in black, probably made from foreign plant fibers as well; and a probable headband or “vincha” of intertwined feathers and thin strings of plant fiber. It was determined that the fiber belonged to Acrocomia chunta, a kind of palm tree whose area of origin would have been more than 600 km away (Rodríguez and Aschero 2007). The presence of exotic elements in this and other Puna sites, whether as ritual or utilitarian goods (according to their context), clearly shows the existence of mechanisms of social interaction among human groups that occupied different and distant environments synchronously during early Holocene. This interaction should not only be thought of in terms of goods exchange, but also in terms of genetic and information exchange as part of a web of social relations that would have sustained the flow of these elements over time. Explaining the absence of early Holocene evidence synchronic with PT1.1 outside of the Puna region is still a pending issue in the archaeology of northwest Argentina. Discovery will reveal and explain complex social and technological aspects of these early connections between Puna hunter-gatherers and the inhabitants of remote ecozones.