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

MANGE, EMILIANO; FERNÁNDEZ, FERNANDO; MOYANO, IVÁN

San Rafael

Congreso; 12a International Conference of Archaeozoology; 2014

Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael

Micromammal remains (< 1 kg) from the archaeological sequence of Pomona open-air site (North Patagonia, Negro River) are taxonomically and taphonomically studied. The remains (NISP=814, MNE=759, MNI=76) were recovered from final Late Holocene layers. The micromammal assemblage are mainly composed by large-sized (>150 g) taxa (>93%; Microcavia australis, Galea leucoblephara, Ctenomys sp. and Holochilus brasiliensis), to a lesser degree on medium- (50?150 g) (Reithrodon auritus), and small-sized (<50 g) taxa (Akodon dolores and Oligoryzomys longicaudatus). With the exception of H. brasiliensis, the taxa recorded at Pomona 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 several burned remains of the cavies M. australis and G. leucoblephara, and the marsh rat H. brasiensis, and some cut marks on long bones of cavies, support this assertion. Evidences of human comsuption on these rodents were also found in others archaeological sites across the Negro River basin, along with a great variety of other resources such as large and medium-size vertebrates, and plants. 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 strategies should be considered.More diverse diet in the Negro River would be expected about 1 ka BP, due to the warmer and more humid general climatic conditions, and because of the higher availability of resources than in surrounding areas without fluvial systems.