Las Quemas Rockshelter: Understanding Human Occupations of Andean Forests of Central Patagonia (Aisén, Chile), Southern South America

Abstract

Hunter-gatherer occupations of the forests of Patagonia are still not well understood compared to those of the open steppe and the coasts. The paucity of forest sites with a thorough chronological framework and the incomplete picture of climate-human dynamics in such environments pose a challenge to understanding the occupations of such habitats. This paper presents recent work at the Las Quemas rockshelter, an archaeological site located in the Andean forests of the Aisén region (44°38’ S) dating between 6100 and 2400 cal B.P. We examine the context of the site, its rock art, and the technological and functional dimensions of its lithic assemblage. By comparing these records with local environmental reconstructions that report forest area fluctuations after the Post-Glacial period, this study provides novel data for a comprehensive regional-scale model of human occupations in central Patagonian forests. Following an initial mid-Holocene occupation, recurring occupational events at the site coincide with a significant contraction of forested area in the region during the late Holocene. The results are discussed in regard to regional archaeological data and current models of forest occupation in Patagonia.

Human Effects in Holocene Fire Dynamics of Central Western Patagonia (~44° S, Chile)

“…During the early to middle Holocene, low intensity occupational events were recorded in this site indicating redundant seasonal visits (Méndez et al, 2011). One single date indicates a forest incursion at 6100 cal years BP, as suggested by the evidence at Las Quemas (Méndez et al, 2016). Between 3000 and 2300 cal years BP, hunter-gatherer mobility ranges expanded into open and closecanopy forests to the west of CRV as expressed by the coincidence of occupational events at El Chueco 1, Las Quemas, and El Toro (Figure 5).…”

“…A macro-charcoal particle recovered beneath the archeological deposition, at the base of the charcoal full stratigraphic unit 4 and directly below a roof fall feature ( Figure 4C), was dated to 12,070-11,810 cal years BP. This evidence has been interpreted as a major fire occurring in the area before humans occupied the site (Méndez et al, 2016).…”

“…18; deciduous forest: 6; evergreen forest: 1). Although this geographic pattern may be partially attributable to vegetation cover, it has also proven to be a reflection of the preferential intensity in the use of different biomes (Méndez et al, 2016).…”

“…The shelter provides a horizontal protected area in excess of 200 m 2 and excavations performed in the central area covered 13 m 2 . Seven 14 C dates have been used to define three statistically different occupational events between 2950 and 2400 cal years BP, plus an earlier one at 5990-6270 cal years BP identified at the base of the cultural deposition (Méndez et al, 2016). Bones are inexistent, most probably due to lack of preservation, and lithics are infrequent but evenly dispersed throughout the excavation.…”

“…Lithics consist mainly of locally procured toolstone types used in a variety of tasks including wood processing. Based on its occupations, Las Quemas site has been interpreted as a redundant, low-intensity, transitory camp occupied while traversing the river axis (Méndez et al, 2016). A macro-charcoal particle recovered beneath the archeological deposition, at the base of the charcoal full stratigraphic unit 4 and directly below a roof fall feature ( Figure 4C), was dated to 12,070-11,810 cal years BP.…”