Análisis de la estructura anatómica de carbones arqueológicos de sitios incaicos (ca. 1480-1530 d.C.) del Valle de Uspallata (Mendoza, Argentina)

GARIBOTTI, I.A.

BOLETíN DE LA SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE BOTáNICA

Sociedad Argentina de Botanica

Lugar: Buenos Aires, Argentina; Año: 1998 vol. 33 p. 195 - 205

0373-580X

The aim of the present study is to analyze the anatomic structure of archaeological charcoal from ancient incaic settlements (ca. 1480-1530 A.D.) within the Uspallata Valley (Mendoza, Argentina) and to identify them by comparison with the structure of actual wood. Pieces of firewood identified from archaeological charcoal are indicators of the floristic composition of the area at the time of their origin and they can also give information regarding possible cultural selectivity made by the land inhabitants. In the present work charcoal fragments from two Incaic sites (“tambos”) have been analyzed. From them, ten genera of shrubs were identified, namely: Adesmia DC. (Leguminosae), Baccharis L. (Compositae), Bredemeyera Willd. (Polygalaceae), Dipyrena Hook. (Verbenaceae), Ephedra L. (Ephedraceae), Larrea Cav. (Zygophyllaceae), Prosopis L. (Leguminosae), Proustia Lag. (Compositae), Salvia L. (Labiatae) and Schinus L. (Anacardiaceae). Each genus was described with regard to the anatomical features. Observations were made by optical microscope and scanning electronic microscope. An evaluation of the possible anthropic selectivity of the Incas between the different vascular plants available for firewood was also made. It is possible that the Incas had selected the different woods for different uses. All plant genera of ancient charcoal identified have been found at present in the flora of the surrounding area. This represents an evidence that there have not been qualitative changes on the floristic composition of the study area since the time of the Inca settlements.