Population Dynamics and Human Strategies in Northwestern Patagonia

Abstract

In this paper we evaluate the role of human strategies in the Andean Piedmont from northern Patagonia across the Holocene. Specifically, we present the analysis of the Early Holocene-Late Holocene archaeological record of Salamanca cave (Mendoza-Argentina). We identified technological changes that occurred during the Late Holocene and the implications of a human occupation hiatus in the Middle Holocene. We follow a multiproxy approach by the analysis of radiocarbon dates, archaeofaunal remains, ceramic, lithics and XRF obsidian sourcing. We also discuss a detailed stratigraphic sequence by geomorphological descriptions, the construction of a radiocarbon sequence model and summed probability distributions, compared with other archaeological sites in the region. We conclude that after the Middle Holocene archaeological hiatus, human populations grew while guanaco populations dropped. The imbalance between demography and resources boosted the incorporation of new technologies such as ceramics and the bow and arrow, allowing people to exploit lower-ranked resources.

Human occupation, site formation, and chronostratigraphy of a mid-Holocene archaeological site at the eastern Pampa-Patagonia transition, Argentina

“…Fortunately, studies in the Central Region of Argentina and adjacent areas provide additional insights into the preservation of the sedimentary and archaeological records. In the Andean piedmont of northwestern Patagonia (northern Neuquén and southern Mendoza), it has been proposed that most environmental eco-zones possess archaeological discontinuities that encompass most of the entire mid-Holocene (Neme et al, 2021). In this region, three archaeological sites located in rock shelters (Salamanca, El Manzano, and Huenul caves) show a discontinuity in the sedimentary and archaeological record during ca.…”

“…In this region, three archaeological sites located in rock shelters (Salamanca, El Manzano, and Huenul caves) show a discontinuity in the sedimentary and archaeological record during ca. 7.4–2.4 ka (Barberena, 2015; Neme et al, 2021). As at the La Modesta, the discontinuity in Cueva Salamanca seems to be chronological and stratigraphical (Neme et al, 2021).…”

“…7.4–2.4 ka (Barberena, 2015; Neme et al, 2021). As at the La Modesta, the discontinuity in Cueva Salamanca seems to be chronological and stratigraphical (Neme et al, 2021). Research along the middle course of Negro River in Río Negro Province (northeastern Patagonia) has demonstrated that Late Pleistocene and mid-Holocene sediments that might contain archaeological materials are deeply buried under alluvium of braided rivers, which in turn, are covered by aeolian deposits that are mostly loess (Luchsinger, 2006).…”

“…Different archaeological models propose to explain either the absence or the scarcity of the archaeological record during this lapse. In this sense, “gaps” or “discontinuities” in the archaeological record may be related to climatic factors (aridity), sampling biases, lower population density, bottlenecks, depopulation or abandonment, local extinctions, recolonization, and population replacements, among others (Nuñez et al, 2002; Araujo et al, 2005; Barrientos and Perez, 2005; Neme and Gil, 2009; Barberena, 2015; Méndez et al, 2015; Barberena et al, 2017; Neme et al, 2021; among many others). The discontinuities and absence of the archaeological record during the mid-Holocene have also been discussed in terms of population continuity or discontinuity (Barrientos, 2009; Politis, 2014; Martínez et al, 2015; Mazzanti et al, 2015).…”