Circulation of Information and Goods in Central? Southern Patagonia: Distribution of Rock Art and Raw Lithic Materials during the Late Holocene

RE, ANAHI; CASSIODORO, GISELA; FLORES CONI, JOSEFINA; GUICHON, FRANCISCO

Mendoza

Congreso; 4th Southern Deserts Conference; 2014

Universidad Nacional de Cuyo - Fac. de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales - Laboratorio de Paleo-ecología Humana

Compared to previous periods, the late Holocene(the last 2500 years) in Patagonia appears to be aless humid period. Thus, a desertification hasbeen proposed, which would have differentiallyaffected environments with diversecharacteristics. Archaeological investigations incentral?southern Patagonia have posedimportant changes in hunter-gatherers mobilityand land use patterns during this period.Specifically, a model has been proposed whichinvolves a reduction of residential mobility, aconcentration of settlements in low-altitudeareas, and a logistical and seasonal use ofhighlands. The aim of this poster is to deepen theunderstanding of how these changes wouldhave affected the circulation of information,goods, and people on a broad spatial scale thatincludes the macro-region delimited by theChubut River to the north (44°S) and the SantaCruz River to the south (51°S).This issue is considered through the integratedanalysis of two lines of evidence: rock art and rawlithic materials. In order to do this, thedistribution of techniques and design typesassigned to the late Holocene will be contrastedwith the distribution of raw lithic materials with aknown source of origin, essentially obsidian fromPampa del Asador. In general terms, during thelate Holocene, rock art shows an extensive use ofthe engraving technique as well as designs usedover a large region. Meanwhile, in lithictechnology, a broader use of obsidian isobserved.These lines of inquiry provide an insight into thestrategies that hunter-gatherer populationsmight have had, given the characteristics of theenvironment. Thus, the development of thisresearch allows us to consider the relationshipbetween the circulation of information andgoods on a broad spatial scale and during dryenvironmental conditions. The maincontribution of this poster is the integration oftwo lines of evidence that permits a furtherunderstanding of hunter-gatherer populationdynamics in central?southern Patagonia duringthe Late Holocene.