Puna Herders: Pastoralism and Hunting in the Argentine Puna (ca. 1500 to 200 years BP.)

URQUIZA, SILVANA; GRANT, JENNIFER

san Rafael, Mendoza

Conferencia; 12th ICAZ International Conference ICAZ 2014; 2014

Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael. Instituto de Arqueología-FFyL-UBA. INAPL. Museo de Antropología-UNC. INCUAPA-FCS-UNCPBA

Based on an analysis of the faunal record, we address animal management between ca. 1500 and 200 year BP in three different altitudinal sectors in Antofagasta de la Sierra (Southern Argentine Puna) micro-region: Valley Basin (>3.400 to 3.550 masl), Intermediate Sector (>3.550 to 3.800 masl) and High Altitude Ravines (>3.800 to 4.600). Across the whole agro-pastoralist sequence we observe a mixed economy of camelid pastoralism (Lama glama) combined with the hunting of camelids, rodents and marine birds. In this context, we note that hunting does not seem to diminish during the later cultural history (Late Period) of the region. Rather, it continues to form an important component of the economy. This is in marked contrast to other areas of Northwest Argentina, raising important questions that underpin this presentation.