Isotopic Ecology in the Northern Patagonian Deserts of Neuquén (Argentina).

QUIROGA, MARÍA NELLA; TESSONE, AUGUSTO; LLANO, CARINA; GASCO, ALEJANDRA ; GORDÓN, FLORENCIA; BARBERENA, RAMIRO

Mendoza

Congreso; IVth Southern Desert Conference; 2014

In this work we present 13C and 15N values for bone faunal samples from northern Patagonia (Neuquén Province, Argentina). The aim is to build a regional isotopic ecology from the Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene transition to the Late Holocene period, oriented towards providing paleoecological data and reconstructing human paleodiets. We obtained isotopic values for 23 samples of the wild camelid guanaco (Lama guanicoe), which was the main food resource for humans in the past. These samples proceed mainly from the archaeological site Cueva Huenul 1, which is located next to the ecotone between the Monte and Patagonia phytogeographical provinces. The information produced is interpreted in the framework of regional botanical surveys that show the differential density of species with C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways in this area. Our results suggest the possible existence of temporal variations in the consumption of these plants by guanaco, which would have a paleoecological significance. This work contributes to a future integration of various lines of analysis (e.g. isotopic ecology, pollen data and rest of rodent middens) aimed at the reconstruction of the paleoecological framework of the human settlement in northwestern Patagonia.