Human evidence from the mid-Holocene in the salty Argentine Puna: analysis of the archaeobotanical record

ARTICLE IN PRESS

Quaternary International 132 (2005) 15–22

Human evidence from the mid-Holocene in the salty Argentine Puna: analysis of the archaeobotanical record Marı´ a Fernanda Rodrı´ guez Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientı´ficas y Te´cnicas, Instituto de Bota´nica Darwinion, Labarde´n 200, C.C. 22 (1642) San Isidro, Provincia de Buenos Aires Available online 3 September 2004

Abstract Human evidence recorded from the mid-Holocene period (8000–4000 BP) in the Salty Argentine Puna was analyzed using archaeobotanical information obtained in previous studies in this region, and compared with the results with the Chilean Salty Puna sector (Salar de Atacama and Loa River area). The archaeological sites of Quebrada Seca 3 (QS3), Cueva Salamanca 1 (CS1) and Pen˜a de la Cruz 1 (PCz1), situated in Antofagasta de la Sierra (Catamarca, Argentina), were analyzed. Radiocarbon dates indicated a continuous human occupation at QS3, between 9800 and 4000 BP. At CS1, the dates show a continuous occupation between 7400 and 6200 BP. At PCz1, human occupation was radiocarbon dated at Circa 7300 BP. These settlements in areas of high altitude coincide with a period of environmental deterioration, during which the regional climate might have been warmer and drier than the present climate, thus promoting vegetation changes. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction This paper discusses evidence of human occupation recorded during the mid-Holocene (8000–4000 years BP) in the Salty Argentine Puna, in comparison to the Salty Chilean Puna, using archaeobotanical information obtained in previous studies in this region. The archaeological sites Quebrada Seca 3 (QS3), Cueva Salamanca 1 (CS1) and Pen˜a de la Cruz 1 (PCz1), in Antofagasta de la Sierra (Catamarca), were considered (Fig. 1). The locality is situated in the southern end of the Puna, at 261S, 671W. This region extends from southern Peru´ and central Bolivia to northwestern Argentina (Cabrera, 1957, 1976) and northeast Chile, between 7–271S and 3500–5500 m asl (Baied and Wheeler, 1993). Troll (1958) recognized three zones based on the characteristics of the vegetation and the patterns of human behavior: Humid Puna, Dry Puna and Salty Puna. Antofagasta de la Sierra is situated in the Salty Puna, an extremely arid area.

E-mail address: [email protected] (M.F. Rodrı´ guez).

From a phytogeographical point of view, the area corresponds to the Punen˜a Province of the Andean Dominion (Cabrera, 1957, 1976). In this Province, the dominant vegetation is bushy steppe, but the herbaceous, halophyte and psamophile steppes and lowland are also present (Cabrera, 1957; Cabrera and Williink, 1980). Three plant associations have developed: the rangeland where grasses and bushy species of Adesmia, Baccharis, Parastrephia and Fabiana are abundant; the ‘‘tolar’’ with bushy and sub-bushy species of Parastrephia and Acantholippia; and the lowland characterized by a plant cover which includes species of Poaceae and Juncaceae (Rodrı´ guez, 2000). QS3 is an NE facing shelter on the southern margin of the lowland of Quebrada Seca, tributary of Las Pitas River (rangeland plant association) at 4100 m asl (Fig. 1). Four main stratigraphic units were identified: layer 0/lens 1  , 1, 2a, and 2b. A date of 2480760 BP (LP-278, Senecio santelicis Phil. stem) was obtained in layer 2a, which corresponds to the late Holocene. In layer 2b, a sandy to sandy-muddy light sediment with important anthropogenic contributions, 25 levels were defined between 45107100 BP (Beta-27801, Deyeuxia

1040-6182/$ - see front matter r 2004 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2004.07.011

ARTICLE IN PRESS 16

M.F. Rodrı´guez / Quaternary International 132 (2005) 15–22

Fig. 1. Antofagasta de la Sierra locality, Catamarca, Repu´blica Argentina. Archaeological sites: QS3, CS1 and PCz1.

eminens J. Presl., funeral bundle)—level 2b2—and 94107120 BP (LP-881, charcoal)—level 2b25-, 9790750 BP (UGA-9257, charcoal)—level 2b19—early and mid-Holocene (Aschero et al., 1991, 1993–1994). This site documents an important mid-Holocene archaeological sequence. CS1, at 3600 m asl, is situated 6 km distant from QS3 (Fig. 1), in the middle-lower reach of Las Pitas River (Punta de la Pen˜a archaeological locality; rangeland and lowland plant associations). Seven layers were defined. The archaeological sequence shows a ceramic occupation on the surface and in the first centimeters of sandy sediment, followed by different aceramic layers with lithic artifacts, faunal and plant remains and combustion structures (Rodrı´ guez, 1997). The radiocarbon dates yielded ages between 74107100 BP (LP-615, charcoal), layer 5 and 6250770 BP (LP-931, charcoal), layer 2, which cover the early mid-Holocene (Aschero, personal communication). PCz1, at 3663 m asl, is situated in the middle-lower reach of Ilanco River, 6.8 km southward from Punta de la Pen˜a and 9 km southwestward from Quebrada Seca (Fig. 1), corresponding to the rangeland plant association. These sectors are different in terms of water resources. The Ilanco River is dry at present, with a small water discharge at 3750–800 m asl (lowland). PCz1 is a complex settlement in shelters and cavities. The more protected sector, human inhabitable, is composed of two shelters. In one, two squares of 1 m  1 m were excavated and three stratigraphic layers were defined: 0, 1 and 2 (Martı´ nez in Rodrı´ guez, 2003). A 14C date on layer 2 yielded an age of 7270740 BP (UGA-9072, charcoal) (Aschero, personal communication).

The archaeobotanical information from plant species recovered in these sites confirmed an intensive human occupation during the mid-Holocene (Rodrı´ guez, 1999a, 2003). These settlements in areas of high altitude coincide with a period of environmental deterioration, during which the climate might have been warmer and drier than the present climate, thus promoting changes in the vegetation. In the Salty Chilean Puna, at Salar de Atacama and the Loa River area (22–231S), the information is very different for the same period (Nu´n˜ez et al., 1983; Santoro and Nu´n˜ez, 1987). From a phytogeographical point of view, this area corresponds to the Punen˜a Province of the Andean Dominion (Cabrera, 1976) including the Andean and sub-Andean. In the Andean level, between 2700 and 3150 m asl, plant species are scarce, with the most frequent being Acantholippia deserticola (Phil.) Moldenke. In the sub-Andean plant level, between 3150 and 3850 m asl, bushy species including Fabiana densa J. Re´my and Baccharis boliviensis (Wedd.) Cuatree are abundant (Aldunate et al., 1981). Two bushy communities were described: ‘‘tolar’’ with species of the genera Fabiana and Parastrephia, and rangeland characterized by Festuca chrysophylla Phil. (Villagra´n et al., 1981, 1983). In the lowland, species of Poaceae and some of Juncaceae families are present (Teillier, 1998). The following archaeological sequence was recorded in the Salar de Atacama and the Loa River area. The archaeological sites Tuina 1, San Lorenzo and Tula´n 52 were occupied during the early Holocene until the beginning of the Altithermal. The two first sites belong to the early Archaic period, ca. 11,000–8000 BP, and correspond to the beginning of seasonal transhumance

ARTICLE IN PRESS M.F. Rodrı´guez / Quaternary International 132 (2005) 15–22

patterns with high mobility. The greatest population developed along the valleys (oases and brines) exploiting different microenvironments and moving sometimes long distances, toward the east Yungas (Nu´n˜ez, 1983a; Santoro and Nu´n˜ez, 1987). Tuina 1 (10,8207620 BP–90807130 BP) is a shelter located in the vicinities of the Loa River and Calama, at 2800 m asl. The recovered artifacts were made with toba and obsidian. It indicates seasonal movements toward the high Puna, during spring–summer months. The archaeofaunistical remains show high camelid consumption during the first stages of occupation, and subsequently rodent consumption became important (Nu´n˜ez, 1983a; Santoro and Nu´n˜ez, 1987). San Lorenzo (10,4007130 BP, 10,2807120 BP, 99607125 BP) is also a shelter located at 2500 m asl, in one of the dry glens descending from the high Puna to Toconao oasis. As Tuina 1, this site is situated in a suitable area for camelid and rodent hunt and gathering of wild plant species. Nine occupation levels were identified; the first three are younger than 595 years BP (late Holocene), while the interval represented by levels 4–9 is assigned to the early Holocene (Nu´n˜ez, 1983a; Santoro and Nu´n˜ez, 1987). During the middle Archaic, ca. 8000–5000 years BP (Mid-Holocene or Altithermal) the sites located in the Salty and Dry Chilean Puna show a notorious decrease of activities and periods of long abandonment, interrupted by brief spells of reoccupation (Nu´n˜ez et al., 1983; Santoro and Nu´n˜ez, 1987). This pattern contrasts with the intense occupation recorded during this period in the area of Antofagasta de la Sierra (Salty Argentine Puna). The Late Archaic, ca. 5000–4000 years BP (mid and late Holocene) was the climax of hunter groups in the Chilean Puna, characterized by the specialized seasonal transhumance that includes the oasis of Salar de Atacama, the middle reach of the Loa River, the intermediate valleys, and the high Puna (Nu´n˜ez, 1983a, b). Tula´n 52 (4340795 BP, 4270780 BP), located at 2925 m asl in an intermediate gulch, in the vicinities of the Salar de Atacama, represents a more stable open camp with circular and underground houses. The inhabitants of this site would have used the resources of the gulch that connects the oasis with the high Puna. Obsidian indicates the exploitation of the high Puna in summer camps. This and the remains of mature camelids demonstrate specialized hunting of these animals at the base of the gulch and the beginning of the semi-sedentarism (Santoro and Nu´n˜ez, 1987). The following hypothesis is proposed: from the paleoclimatic changes during mid-Holocene or Altithermal, human groups had particular adaptive strategies in different sectors of the Salty Puna (Argentina and Chile). The particular sociocultural complexity and the environmental conditions could be the origin of these differences.

17

2. Materials and methods The identification of archaeobotanical material was carried out by comparative anatomical and morphological analyses using the current material, which is part of a reference collection. The plant species studied were collected along different transects from the archaeological sites under analysis (Rodrı´ guez, 1999a, 2000). These specimens were stored at the Herbarium (SI) of the Instituto de Bota´nica Darwinion (Holmgren et al., 1990). 2.1. Current material 2.1.1. Woody species Histological cross and longitudinal sections of woody stems were carried out using a sliding microtome. The best sections were selected under a magnifying glass and stained with safranine fast-green or dilute safranine; they were set up in artificial Canada balsam and glycerin–gelatin, respectively (D’Ambrogio de Argu¨eso, 1986). These histological sections were observed and photographed with a light microscope. Observation allowed the analyses of current plant anatomy, taking into account the following features: growth rings, porosity, vessels, radios, fibbers, tracheids present or absent, fibretracheids, septet fibbers, cellular contents (tannins and crystals) and tyloses. 2.1.2. Herbaceous species Cross sections of leaves, stems and culms of grasses and rushes were manually made. The histological sections were stained with dilute safranine and set up in glycerin—gelatin. They were observed and photographed with a light microscope. The anatomical analyses were carried out taking into account the foliar characteristics (leave contour, ribs and furrows, margin, hairs, papillae and papillae cells, prickle hairs or hooks, epidermal cells, adaxial and abaxial sclerenchyma, vascular bundles) and culinary ones (culm contour, sclerenchyma, sub-epidermal chlorenchyma, vascular bundles and parenchyma). 2.2. Archaeobotanical material The excavation of the sites was carried out by sectarian decapage following natural layers. When a concentration of remains was observed, the extractions were separated until the concentration was exhausted. In this way, cultural levels were obtained and named layers or occupation levels. At each layer or level, squares of 1 m  1 m were drawn and sub-divided into microsectors of 0.50 m  0.50 m which were the unit of excavation. The plant macroremains recovered were gathered in the following groups: ecofacts (plant remains which gave

ARTICLE IN PRESS 18

M.F. Rodrı´guez / Quaternary International 132 (2005) 15–22

no evidence of human modification before use) and artifacts (plants with modification of anthropogenic origin, to be used for some purpose). 2.2.1. Ecofacts Histological sections were carried out on woody remains (stems) following the steps indicated for current material. Herbaceous (grasses and rushes) leaves, stems and culm were treated in the same way as was current material. 2.2.2. Artifacts Histological sections of artifacts made with woody species (see current material, woody species) and woody culms (bamboos) were performed. For the latter, paradermal epidermis sections also were done, and the following characteristics were considered: ribs and furrows, coastal long cells, intercostal long cells, silica short cells (silica bodies), stomata apparatus, prickle hairs or hooks, macrohairs, microhairs, vascular bundles, and parenchymatic tissue. The same characteristics were taken into account for the present herbarium material in the case of bamboo culms. All were observed and photographed with a light microscope. In some cases, a Scanning Electron Microscope was used. In relation to artifacts made with herbaceous species or herbaceous portions of woody species, basketwork remains, cords and knots were recovered. For all, histological sections were carried out as for current herbaceous material. For some cords, histological sections were made with an ultramicrotome at the Electron Microscopy Lab, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires). These were stained with safranine or blue toloudine and set up in glycerin-gelatin or Canada balsam. Finally, they were observed and photographed with a light microscope.

3. Results The archaeobotanical record belonging to the midHolocene was described, from plant remains identified in each site under study (Tables 1–4). The results from QS3 (Tables 1 and 2) were discussed in detail in different articles (Rodrı´ guez, 1997, 1999a, b, 2000; Rodrı´ guez and Ru´golo de Agrasar, 1999; Rodrı´ guez et al., 2003). Tables 3 and 4 show the archaeobotanical species recovered in CS1 and PCz1, respectively (Rodrı´ guez, 1997, 2003; Rodrı´ guez et al., 2003). In the archaeological sites under study in Antofagasta de la Sierra area, local and non-local plant species were recovered. In QS3 (Table 1), stems and roots of woody species, including Adesmia horrida Gillies ex. Hook. & Arn., Baccharis incarum Wedd, Fabiana bryoides Phil., F. punensis S. C. Arroyo, Parastrephia lucida (Meyen) Cabrera, P. quadrangularis (Meyen) Cabrera, Senecio

santelilsis Phil., Sisymbrium philippianum I. M. Johnst., were found in fire structures, so they were used as fuel (Rodrı´ guez, 2000). In the same site, leaves and culms of the herbaceous species D. eminens J. Presl. var. eminens, F. chrysophylla, F. orthophylla Pilg., F. weberbaueri Pilg, Stipa sp., and Puccinellia frigida (Phil.) I. M. Johnst. were used to make grass layers on the occupation floors and to make ‘‘beds’’ and funeral bundles (Rodrı´ guez, 1999b; Rodrı´ guez and Ru´golo, 1999; Rodrı´ guez et al., 2003). These grass layers, ‘‘beds’’, and funeral bundles could be considered structures as well. At QS3, other plant species were used to make artifacts (see Table 2). Some were local species used to make wooden tools, such as stems of A. horrida and Parastrephia quadrangularis, or to make ropes, such as D. eminens J. Presl. var eminens (culms) and Cortaderia speciosa (Nees) Stapf (leaves). The others were non-local species: stems of Prosopis torquata (Cav. ex Leg.) DC, Salix humboldtiana Will., and Chusquea lorentziana Griseb. as wooden tools, Acrocomia totai Mart. which foliar vascular bundles were used to make ropes and worn spines of Trichocereus pasacana (Web) Britton et Rose (Rodrı´ guez, 1999a; Rodrı´ guez and Ru´golo, 1999; Rodrı´ guez et al., 2003). In the fires of the archaeological site CS1, there were stems and roots of woody species of A. horrida, B. incarum, F. bryoides, P. lucida, P. quadrangularis and S. philippianum. Culms and leaves of the species D. eminens var. fulva (Griseb) Ru´golo and Festuca sp. were in grass layers. There were also artifacts made with two non-local species (see Table 3): C. lorentziana whose stem was used to make a wooden tool, and a worn spine of T. pasacana. Finally, a fruit (husk) of Hoffmanseggia eremophila Phil. was found in this site. Probably this is a natural remain, whose presence in this archaeological site is a consequence of natural agents such as wind or animals (Rodrı´ guez, 1997, 2003; Rodrı´ guez et al., 2003). Finally, at PCz1 (Table 4), leaves and culms of Deyeuxia deserticola Phil., D. eminens var. fulva and stems of Juncus arcticus Willd. were recovered in floor occupations, as grass layers. T. pasacana were probably used as a tecnofacture, because a worn spine was recovered (Rodrı´ guez, 2003; Rodrı´ guez et al., 2003). In the archaeological sites, non-local plant species were found. P. torquata (Fabaceae) is abundant in the semi-desert vegetation of the ‘‘Monte’’ Phitogeographic Province (Cabrera, 1957, 1976; Burkart, 1976). S. humboldtiana (Salicaceae) grows along rivers and rivulets from Chubut (Patagonia) northward (Boelcke, 1986), but not in the study area, because of the high altitude. T. pasacana (Cactaceae) lives in the ‘‘Prepuna’’ Phitogeographic Province (Cabrera, 1957, 1976) in Catamarca, Tucuma´n, Salta and Jujuy and in Bolivia, between 2500 and 3000 m asl (Kiesling, 1978). A. totai (Palmae) grows northeastward to Salta (Boelcke, 1986). C. lorentziana (Poaceae, Bambusoideae) lives in the

ARTICLE IN PRESS M.F. Rodrı´guez / Quaternary International 132 (2005) 15–22

19

Table 1 Archaeobotanical record of QS3, mid-Holocene Level Sp. Flies

2b1 5400790

2b2 45107100

2b4 4770–5380

2b5 5380770

2b8 61607100

2b10 7220–7130

2b11 71307110

2b12 7130–7350

2b14 7350780

2b15 7350–8330

S Ad Fbr Fpun Pluc Pqua Bac Sen Sis Dey Fwe Fort Fchry Pucc Sti Ast Fab Sol

20 10 1 1 1 1 2 0 0

30 19 4 1 0 2 2 0 0 +++

30 19 1 3 0 2 0 2 0 ++ ++

138 86 12 1 0 13 1 7 3 +++

17 8 2 0 0 1 1 0 0

17 4 1 1 0 6 1 0 0 +++

48 4 9 1 7 9 9 6 0 +

27 3 1 1 8 5 4 1 0 ++

32 11 0 1 7 5 4 1 0

23 6 2 0 9 1 2 0 0

1 1 0

+ 10 0 2

3 0 0

1 0 0

+ ++ + 8 0 0

48 4 0

41 2 0

7 3 0

2 0 0

1 0 0

Ecofacts. References. Flies, families; S, sample; Woody species: Ad, Adesmia horrida; Fbr, Fabiana bryoides; Fpun, F. punensis; Pluc, Parastrephia lucida; Pqua, P. quadrangularis; Bac, Baccharis incarum; Sen, Senecio santelicis; Sis, Sisymbrium philippianum. Herbaceous species: Dey, Deyeuxia eminens var. eminens; Fwe, Festuca weberbaueri; Fort, F. orthophylla; Fchry, F. chrysophylla; Sti, Stipa sp.; Puc., Puccinellia frigida.; +++, very frequently; ++, frequently; +, few frequently; , absent. Flower and fruit rests: Ast, Asteraceae; Fab, Fabaceae; Sol, Solanaceae. Dates are expressed in years before present (years BP). Table 2 Archaeobotanical record of QS3, mid-Holocene Level Sp. Ad Pqua Pros* Sal* Acr* Chus* Tric* Dey Cort

2b1 2b2 2b3 2b4 2b5 2b8 2b10 2b11 5400790 45107100 4770780 477–5380 5380770 61607100 7130–7220 71307110

2b12 7130–7350

2b14 7350780

2b15 7350–8330

Act instr Poker

Wood bev

Wood bev Wood dec 3 handl

Handl

2 handl

Fb Bask frag

2 cord Used culm Handl and worn culm 2 worn spine Knot Knot 2 bask frag

Artifacts: Ad, Adesmia horrida; Pqua, Parastrephia quadrangularis; Pros, Prosopis torquata; Sal, Salix humboldtiana; Acr, Acrocomia totai; Chus, Chusquea lorentziana; Tric, Trichocereus pasacana; Dey, Deyeuxia eminens; Cort, Cortaderia speciosa; *, no local species; act instr, active instrument to make fire; wood bev, wood cut in bevel; dec wood, decorated wood; handl, handle; Fb, funeral bundle; bask frag, remains of basketwork; knot, knot made using grasses; cord, cord made using grasses or palms vascular bundles. Dates are expressed in years before present (years BP).

northwestern forests (Boelcke, 1986). All of these plant species are present in QS3; T. pasacana and C. lorentziana are present at CS1 and PCz1as well. The presence of species which grow in different areas or regions indicates high mobility in the southern Puna during the mid-Holocene (Rodrı´ guez, 1999a, 2003).

4. Discussion and conclusions From a phytogeographical point of view, the studied areas are similar. The same plant species associations

are developed in both sectors of the Salty Puna. The composition (taxon plants) of these communities is very similar and a comparative analysis was carried out. The archaeobotanical record of the sites in the Salty Argentine Puna shows an intensive occupation during the mid-Holocene. Particularly at QS3, there were no long periods of abandonment, and a similar archaeological sequence is found in CS1. In PCz1, although the results are preliminary, the quantity of material recovered from the studied layers indicates that similar events could have occurred (Table 5).

ARTICLE IN PRESS 20

M.F. Rodrı´guez / Quaternary International 132 (2005) 15–22

Table 3 Archaeobotanical record of CS1 Layers Sp.—Families

3 ca. 6250–7410 BP

Chusquea lorentziana* Poaceae Trichocereus pasacana* Cactaceae Hoffmanseggia eremophila Fabaceae Deyeuxia eminens var. fulva Poaceae Festuca sp Poaceae Adesmia horrida Fabaceae Baccharis incarum Asteraceae Fabiana bryoides Solanaceae Parastrephia lucida Asteraceae Parastrephia quadrangularis Asteraceae Sisymbrium philippianum Cruciferae

Fragment of worn Culm

4 ca. 6250–7410 BP

5 74107100 BP

6

Worn spine Fruit (Husk) Complete specimen Complete specimen Wood, charcoal

Wood, charcoal

Wood, charcoal

Wood, charcoal Wood, charcoal

Wood, charcoal Wood, charcoal Wood, charcoal Wood, charcoal

Artifacts and ecofacts: *: No local species. Complete specimen: with vegetative and reproductive structures.

Table 4 Archaeobotanical record of PCz1 Layer 2 7270740 BP Sp.—Families

Microsector a

Microsector d

Deyeuxia deserticola Poaceae D. eminens var. fulva Poaceae Juncus arcticus Juncaceae Trichocereus pasacana* Cactaceae (Artifact)

+++

+++

+ + Worn spine

Ecofacts and artifacts: +++: very frequently; ++: frequently; +: uncommon; *: no local species.

The long sequence of human evidence in this Puna sector contrasts with the events recorded at the Salty Chilean Puna, characterized by archaeological sites with evidence of activity reduction and long periods of abandonment with brief moments of reoccupation (Table 6) (Nu´n˜ez et al., 1983; Santoro and Nu´n˜ez, 1987). In the Chilean Puna, Nu´n˜ez and Grosjean (1994) proposed the concept of the ‘‘archaeological silence’’ and the thesis of human group movements to the coast during mid-Holocene. It is possible to study the geographical and environmental conditions that took place in this region of Chile and the socio-cultural differences which could be present.

First, the geographical situation of both sectors of the Salty Puna may have influenced the behavior of human groups who inhabited each area during the midHolocene. The greater proximity of the Chilean archaeological sites to the coast may have facilitated the mobility of human groups to this sector, where the climate was more benign. On the other hand, the sites situated in Antofagasta de la Sierra (Salty Argentine Puna), far from the coast, required a different human behavior. Likely, the rangeland with grasses and camelids could have been restricted to high altitudes with water availability (Pintar, 1995). Human groups must have looked for these more elevated areas, at least

ARTICLE IN PRESS M.F. Rodrı´guez / Quaternary International 132 (2005) 15–22

21

Table 5 Archaeological sites situated at the Salty Puna of Argentina in relation to different Holocene periods, pointing out the mid-Holocene ones Holocene

Paleoclimate

Archaeological sites

Early Holocene 10,000–8000 years BP Mid-Holocene or Altithermal 8000–4000 years BP Late Holocene Since 4000 years BP

Cold and humid

QS3, PP4

Warm and dry

QS3, CS1, PCz1

Humid: 4000–1500 years BP Similar to present climate: since 1500 years BP

QS3, PP3, PP4, PP9, PP11

Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca Province. QS3, Quebrada Seca 3; PP4, Punta de la Pen˜a 4; CS1, Cueva Salamanca 1; PCz1, Pen˜a de la Cruz 1; PP3, Punta de la Pen˜a 3; PP9, Punta de la Pen˜a 9; PP11, Punta de la Pen˜a 11.

Table 6 Archaeological sites situated at the Salty Puna of Chile in relation to different Holocene periods indicating the mid-Holocene ones Holocene

Paleoclimate

Archaeological sites

Early Holocene 10,000–8000 years BP Mid-Holocene or Altithermal 8000–4000 years BP Late Holocene Since 4000 years BP

Cold and humid

Tuina 1, Tuina 5, San Lorenzo 1, Tula´n 67, Tula´n 68, Tula´n 109, Tambillo 1, Tuyaito 1 Long periods of site abandonment and brief reoccupation moments Toconce, Chulqui 3 Altithermal ended: Tula´n 51, Calarcoco, Puripica 1, Isla Grande, Confluencia Hunter–gatherer climax Tula´n 52, Puripica 1, Chiu-Chiu Complex

Warm and dry

Similar to present climate

Salar de Atacama, El Loa Province (Nu´n˜ez, 1983a, b; Nu´n˜ez et al., 1983; Santoro and Nu´n˜ez, 1987; Nu´n˜ez and Grosjean, 1994).

seasonally, to get their basic resources. This idea is in relation to the important evidence recorded at QS3, situated at 4100 m asl. In addition, the frequent non-local plant species found in the mid-Holocene archaeobotanical record of the Salty Argentine Puna sites are very good indicators of human movements in the region. At present, these species grow in different, distant areas. Therefore, socioeconomic interchanges took place in the region during the mid-Holocene, although these artifacts and people mobility did not involve the abandonment of the sites. The population and activities increased during this period, while a general decrease of human activities occurred in the Salty Chilean Puna. The quantity of archaeological remains recovered from the mid-Holocene records is greater than in the early and late Holocene archaeological records. In relation to the socio-cultural organization, it is important to consider what happened during the early Holocene, before 8000 BP, in both sectors. According to the information recovered from both areas, settlement during the early Holocene was intensive in the Salar de Atacama and the Loa River area in the Salty Chilean Puna (Santoro and Nu´n˜ez, 1987); but something different happened in the Salty Argentine Puna, where the earliest records belong to QS3 with little evidence for the early Holocene (Rodrı´ guez, 1999a). Perhaps a more intensive settlement prior to the mid-Holocene could have promoted a great social organization and finally

more complex behavior in relation to mobility and the choice of the settlement areas (Tables 5 and 6). During the mid-Holocene the evidence considered could be important, taking into account the differences of these areas of settlements in the Puna. Future research in the area should focus on paleoenvironmental reconstructions on the basis, among others, of palynological analysis.

Acknowledgements I thank Prof. Zulma Ru´golo de Agrasar and Prof. Lic. Carlos Aschero for their guidance in carrying out this work. I also thank Dr. Roberto Kiesling for the identification of archaeological cactus and to Lic. Florencia Agrasar for her language assistance.

References Aldunate, C., Armesto, J., Castro, V., Villagra´n, C., 1981. Estudio etnobota´nico en una comunidad precordillerana de Antofagasta: Toconce. Boletı´ n Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (Chile) 38, 183–223. Aschero, C.A., Elkin, D., Pintar, E., 1991. Aprovechamiento de recursos faunı´ sticos y produccio´n lı´ tica en el precera´mico tardı´ o. Un caso de estudio: Quebrada Seca 3 (Puna Meridional Argentina). Actas del XI Congreso Nacional de Arqueologı´ a Chilena 2, 101–114.

ARTICLE IN PRESS 22

M.F. Rodrı´guez / Quaternary International 132 (2005) 15–22

Aschero, C.A., Manzi, L., Go´mez, A., 1993–1994. Produccio´n lı´ tica y uso del espacio en el nivel 2b4 de Quebrada Seca 3. Relaciones de la Sociedad Argentina de Antropologı´ a 19, 191–214. Baied, C., Wheeler, J., 1993. Evolution of high Andean Puna ecosystems: environment, climate and culture change over the last 12000 years in the Central Andes. Mountain Research and Development 13 (2), 145–156. Boelcke, O., 1986. Plantas vasculares de la Argentina. Nativas y Exo´ticas. Editorial Hemisferio Sur. S.A., Buenos Aries, 369pp. Burkart, A., 1976. A monograph of the genus Prosopis (LeguminosaeSubfam.: Mimosoideae). Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 57 (3), 219–527. Cabrera, A.L., 1957. La vegetacio´n de la Puna Argentina. Revista de Investigaciones Agrı´ colas 11 (1), 317–413. Cabrera, A.L., 1976. Regiones Fitogeogra´ficas Argentinas. In: Kugler, W.F. (Ed.), Enciclopedia Argentina de Agricultura y Jardinerı´ a. fascı´ culo 1. Editorial Acme, Buenos Aires, p. 85. Cabrera, A.L., Williink, A., 1980. Biogeografı´ a de Ame´rica Latina. Secretarı´ a General de la Organizacio´n de los Estados Americanos, Serie de Biologı´ a, Monografı´ a 13, Washington, DC. D’Ambrogio de Argu¨eso, A., 1986. Manual de te´cnicas en Histologı´ a vegetal. Editorial Hemisferio Sur S.A., Buenos Aires. Holmgren, P.K., Holmgren, N.H., Barnett, L.C., 1990. Index Herbariorum, Part I. The Herbaria of the World ed. 8. Regnum Vegetabile 120, 1–693. Kiesling, R., 1978. El ge´nero Trichocereus (Cactaceae): Las especies de la Republica Argentina. Darwiniana 21 (2–4), 263–330. Nu´n˜ez, L., 1983a. Paleoindio y Arcaico en Chile: diversidad secuencia y procesos. Ediciones Cuicuilco, Serie Monografı´ as, Me´xico. Nu´n˜ez, L., 1983b. Paleoindian and Archaic cultural periods in the arid and semiarid regions of Northen Chile. Advances in World Archaeology 2, 161–203. Nu´n˜ez, L., Grosjean, M., 1994. Cambios ambientales Pleistoceno– Holoceno: Ocupacio´n humana y uso de recursos en la Puna de Atacama (Norte de Chile). Estudios Atacamen˜os 11, 11–24. Nu´n˜ez, L., Varela, J., Casamiquela, R., 1983. Ocupacio´n Paleoindio en Quereo (IV Regio´n): una reconstruccio´n multidisciplinaria en el territorio semia´rido de Chile. Antofagasta, Universidad del Norte, Chile. Pintar, E.L., 1995. Cazadores y pastores arcaicos de la Puna Andina. Relaciones de la Sociedad Argentina de Antropologı´ a 20, 129–140.

Rodrı´ guez, M.F., 1997. Sistemas de asentamiento y movilidad durante el Arcaico. Ana´lisis de macrovestigios vegetales en sitios arqueolo´gicos de la Puna Meridional Argentina. Estudios Atacamen˜os 14, 43–60. Rodrı´ guez, M.F., 1999a. Arqueobota´nica de Quebrada Seca 3 (Puna Meridional Argentina): Especies vegetales utilizadas en la confeccio´n de artefactos durante el Arcaico. Relaciones de la Sociedad Argentina de Antropologı´ a 24, 159–184. Rodrı´ guez, M.F., 1999b. Plant species (Families: Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Solanaceae) at an archaeological site of the Southern Argentine Puna. Journal of Ethnobiology 19 (2), 229–247. Rodrı´ guez, M.F., 2000. Woody plant species used during the Archaic period in the Southern Argentine Puna. Archaeobotany of Quebrada Seca 3. Journal of Archaeological Science 27, 341–361. Rodrı´ guez, M.F., 2003. Cambios en el uso de los recursos vegetales durante el Holoceno en la Puna meridional argentina. Actas del XV Congreso Nacional de Arqueologı´ a Chilena, Chu´ngara. Revista de Arqueologı´ a Chilena (Volumen especial), 403–413. Rodrı´ guez, M.F., Ru´golo de Agrasar, Z.E., 1999. Deyeuxia eminens (Poaceae: Agrostideae) en un sitio arqueolo´gico de la Puna Meridional Argentina (Provincia de Catamarca). Darwiniana 37 (3–4), 229–242. Rodrı´ guez, M.F., Ru´golo de Agrasar, Z.E., Aschero, C.A., 2003. El ge´nero Deyeuxia (Poaceae, Agrostideae) en sitios arqueolo´gicos de la Puna meridional argentina. Provincia de Catamarca, Chu´ngara, Revista de Antropologı´ a Chilena 35 (1), 51–72. Santoro, C.M., Nu´n˜ez, L., 1987. Hunters of the Dry Puna and the Salt Puna in Northern Chile. Andean Past 1, 57–109. Teillier, S., 1998. Flora y vegetacio´n alto-andina del a´rea de Colloguasi-Salar de Coposa, Andes del Norte de Chile. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 71, 313–329. Troll, C., 1958. Las culturas superiores andinas y el medio geogra´fico. Revista del Instituto de Geografı´ a 5, 3–55. Villagra´n, C.J., Armesto, J., Arroyo, M.T.K., 1981. Vegetation in a high Andean transect between Turi and cerro Leo´n in northern Chile. Vegetation 48, 3–16. Villagra´n, C.J., Arroyo, M.T.K., Marticorena, C., 1983. Efectos de la desertizacio´n en la distribucio´n de la flora andina de Chile. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 56, 137–157.