Taphonomical evidences of micromammals exploitation at Pomona archaeological site (Late Holocene, North Patagonia, Negro River). Does it constitute an intensification process?

EMILIANO MANGE; FERNANDO J. FERNÁNDEZ; IVÁN MOYANO

San Rafael

Congreso; 12th Conferencia ICAZ (International Council for Archaeozoology); 2014

Micromammals (>1 kg) from Pomona open-air archaeological site (39º31?29,4?S, 65º34?24,4?W, Negro River) are taxonomically and taphonomically studied. The remains (NISP=816, MNE=748, MNI=76) were recovered from Late Holocene layers (1 ky BP). The micromammal assemblage is mainly composed of large-sized (>150 g) taxa (93%; Microcavia australis, Galea leucoblephara, Ctenomys sp., Holochilus brasiliensis), to a lesser degree of medium (50?150 g) (Reithrodon auritus) and small-sized (>50 g) taxa (Akodon molinae, Eligmodontia sp.). With the exception of H. brasiliensis, the taxa recorded at Pomona are associated with the Monte desert, and are still present in the area. Dominance of large-sized micromammals is mostly related with human exploitation. The finding of cut marks and burned remains support this assertion. Evidence of human consumption of micromammals was also found in others archaeological sites across the Negro River, along with a great variety of other resources. However, it is important to note that links to the intensification process must be cautiously considered. Since there is no data from earlier periods, better evaluation of long-term changes in subsistence strategiesshould be considered. More diverse diet in the Negro River would be expected, because of the higher availability of resources than in surrounding areas, including an extinct species from this river (H. brasiliensis) during the cooler and drier global event called Little Ice Age (16th-19th centuries).