The memory of the human-plan interaction from the littoral south Patagonian Argentina

CIAMPAGNA M. L.

Workshop; International Workgroup for Paleoethnobotany; 2025

This study discusses the value of historiography, ethnobotany, and experimental archaeology in understanding the archaeobotanical register from the south littoral Patagonian Argentina. The middle and late Holocene plant macro and microremains from twelve shell middens, rock shelters and open sites were studied. 19 taxa (Adesmia, Alstroemeria aff. aurea, Atriplex/Suaeda, Berberis, Bulnesia, Chuquiraga, Colliguaja, Discaria, Ephedra, Lycium, Pinus, Prosopidastrum, Netluma, Schinus, Senecio/Baccharis, Tropeolum aff. porifolium cf. Cercidium, cf. Grindelia, cf. Bougainvillea) were identified in the archaeological register. Some taxa were ubiquitous in this period, in historical and contemporary times. Asteraceae and Fabaceae are the main families registered. Different use categories were recognized during prehispanic, historical and actual times. The discourses of the past chronicler and the traditional knowledge of local people constitute fragmentary memories. We used standard protocols to identify the plant macro and microremains. Ethnohistorical sources from XVII to XIX centuries were analyzed with a critical view. An ethnographic qualitative methodology with a flexible design was adopted. In experimental programs, we reproduced the patterns inferred in the last sources. We designed diverse strategies to revalue the traditional knowledge registered in this work, and we would like to promote biocultural memory.