Characteristics of mollusk exploitation in the Northen Patagonian Coast (Argentina)

LANZELOTTI, SONIA LAURA

Santander, España

Workshop; 2nd Meeting of de ICAZ Archaeomalacology Working Group; 2008

Instituto de Investigaciones Prehistòricas de Cantabria - Universidad de Cantabria

A methodology for the study of malacologic resource exploitation in the northern patagonian coast of Argentina is proposed. The goal is to contribute to the knowlegde of human use of coastal areas during Mid-Late Holocene at a regional scale. It is assumed that the combination of several resources generates redundant occupation of particular places. Thus, we analize the relative importance of mollusks exploitation in relation with other litoral resources.  Density and distribution of shell middens are shown, as well as the characteristics of the mollusk species recovered in excavations (e.g. diversity, density, laterality, state of preservation, intertidal/subtidal provenience, alometric measure, etc.), detailing the presence of other evidences recovered among valves (remains of crustaceans, fishes, marine and terrestrial mammals, birds, egg shells, charcoal and lithic artifacts). Finally, some ways for exploring changes in the exploitation of mollusks and possible causes during the span these shell middens involve (ca. 4000 a 700 years BP) are proposed.