Radiocarbon trends in the Pampean region (Argentina). Biases and demographic patterns during the final Late Pleistocene and Holocene

MARTÍNEZ, G.A., ; PRATES, L. .; FLENSBORG, G.; STOESSEL, L. ; ALCARÁZ, A.P.; BAYALA, P.

QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2014 vol. 356 p. 89 - 110

1040-6182

This paper compiles a database of radiocarbon dates of archaeological sites that are currently available for the Pampean region. Based on the probability distribution of radiocarbon dates from this database, major temporal trends are defined, possible taphonomic and scientific biases are evaluated, and their implications for demography are suggested. Results indicate a continuous archaeological signal between ca. 14500 and 100 cal yr BP. During the Final Late Pleistocene and the Early Holocene, the archaeological signal is low in ca. 14500-12800 cal yr BP, and increases to a moderate and continuous signal in ca. 12800-7500 cal yr BP. The archaeological signal for the former lapse correspond to the early peopling of the region and would be related to the inhabiting and exploitation of key landforms (e.g., rock shelters, river valleys) and critical resources (e.g., lithic raw material, water). The low amount of available dates for the Middle Holocene (ca. 7400-3700 cal yr BP), and the obtained archaeological signal would be due to the combination of various factors such as taphonomic bias, organization of prehistoric populations, and even a possible low population density. Based on a low but continuous signal for this period, it is suggested that a hypothesis about population extinctions and disruptions processes can not be sustained according to this evidence. Finally, during the Late Holocene (from 3700-100 cal yr BP) human occupations were recorded in all the micro-regions. Regardless of biases, this signal is interpreted as an increase in demographic density at a regional level.