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Estimated age for the first peopling of Patagonia based on Confidence Intervals on Stratigraphic Range method. The upper panel shows the estimations based on an ancient age of 14,000 Cal BP, while the lower panel displays the results obtained for the most accepted date of 13,000 Cal BP (Steele and Politis, 2009). The most probable age was estimated considering a range of strata values between 10 and 20.
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The settlement of Patagonia has been the subject of extensive research, although key questions about the timing of arrival of the first humans and the subsequent patterns of dispersal and demographic changes within the region remain largely unresolved. In this study we evaluated the most probable date for the initial peopling of Patagonia and explo...
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... and Confidence Intervals on Strati- graphic Range analyses, we suggest that the most probable time (i.e. the 95% confidence interval) for the earlier peopling of Pata- gonia was between 16,000 and 13,000 years ago or between 18,000 and 14,000 years ago, considering a minimum age of either 13,000 or 14,000 Cal BP, respectively, and 14 or 16 strata (Fig. 2). The most ancient value increase or decrease according to the amount of archaeological strata considered in the analysis (Fig. 2) Interestingly, our earlier estimation based on radiocarbon dates is within the range of results obtained with molecular data (Table 2). In Table 2 (Table 2). There- fore, these results suggest that the ...
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... for the earlier peopling of Pata- gonia was between 16,000 and 13,000 years ago or between 18,000 and 14,000 years ago, considering a minimum age of either 13,000 or 14,000 Cal BP, respectively, and 14 or 16 strata (Fig. 2). The most ancient value increase or decrease according to the amount of archaeological strata considered in the analysis (Fig. 2) Interestingly, our earlier estimation based on radiocarbon dates is within the range of results obtained with molecular data (Table 2). In Table 2 (Table 2). There- fore, these results suggest that the region was peopled between 17,000 and 14,500 years ago, considering the probable time interval of the earliest lineage divergence ...
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... distribution of distances to the sea shows that during the early peopling almost all sites were closer than 150 km to either the Atlantic or Pacific sea (Atlantic and Pacific; Fig. A.2). During the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene (12,000e8000 years BP) the sites were homogeneously distributed between 0 and 350 km from the sea. After 8000 years BP and during the Middle and Late Holocene the sites were concentrated in the coast, between 20 or 30 km to the sea ( Fig. ...
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... the Atlantic or Pacific sea (Atlantic and Pacific; Fig. A.2). During the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene (12,000e8000 years BP) the sites were homogeneously distributed between 0 and 350 km from the sea. After 8000 years BP and during the Middle and Late Holocene the sites were concentrated in the coast, between 20 or 30 km to the sea ( Fig. ...
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... suggesting that this was a period of intensification in the human occupation and use of resources, i.e., the effective occupa- tion phase described in previous studies (Borrero, 1989e1990, 1994e1995). During this time of rapid population growth, the hu- man settlements were increasingly concentrated in the coast of the sea, between zero and 30 km (Fig. 3 and Fig. A.2). This spatial pattern strongly contrasts with the spatial distribution of sites during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene, when a high frequency of sites was found at distances between 50 and 150 km from the coast of the sea. Such distance to the coast suggests that human groups were not occupying the coast intensively. Whether ...
Citations
... Espacialmente, la evidencia indica niveles de violencia más elevados en el sector centro-sur (13,2%) respecto del sector norte (6,9%). A pesar de que esta diferencia no es estadísticamente significativa, la tendencia está en consonancia con los patrones demográficos derivados de otras líneas (i.e., análisis moleculares, radiocarbónicos y bioarqueológicos), que se retoman más adelante (Della Negra et al. 2014;Gordón et al. 2019aGordón et al. , 2019bPérez et al. 2016). En términos diacrónicos, se observa un incremento en los niveles de violencia hacia los 2.000 años AP y no se registran lesiones en el registro bioarqueológico postcontacto, aunque sí indicadores indirectos de conflicto, tales como espadas y casquetes metálicos con marcas de corte. ...
... AP, pero el aumento marcado se habría dado, después del 4.000-5.000 años AP, con un pico hacia el 1.000 AP (Gordón et al. 2019a;Pérez et al. 2016). Es interesante notar que el segundo período considerado en este trabajo (ca. ...
... Los resultados obtenidos sobre la distribución y consumo de la Araucaria resultan sugestivos ya que ésta fue la única planta que mostró elevados valores de selectividad, aunque detectada isotópicamente en individuos procedentes del centro-oeste de la provincia del Neuquén. Existen numerosas menciones sobre la importancia de este recurso para la organización social y la vida de los grupos, tanto en términos nutricionales y medicinales como económicos (Aguirre y Pérez, 2016;Cortés et al. 2019;dos Reis et al. 2014;Musters, [1869Musters, [ -1870 1997, entre otros). Estas características convierten a la Araucaria en un recurso altamente defendible, un factor recurrentemente mencionado en la literatura específica sobre las variaciones en los patrones de conflicto (Mattison et al. 2016;Read y LeBlanc, 2003;Torres-Rouff y Costa Junqueira, 2006). ...
En este trabajo se analizan frecuencias de lesiones traumáticas
en individuos procedentes de la provincia de Neuquén (N=37)
correspondientes a distintos momentos del Holoceno (i.e., transición
Holoceno medio-tardío, Holoceno tardío y momentos postcontacto).
Asimismo, se analizan muestras de cráneos del área alojadas en
diversas instituciones del mismo período (N=45). Los resultados
indican niveles de violencia interpersonal desde comienzos de la
secuencia temporal analizada que aumentan conforme se verifica un
incremento demográfico (hacia los 2.000 años AP), particularmente
en el área con mayor densidad poblacional estimada (i.e., centro-sur
de Neuquén). Asimismo, se destaca la evidencia de violencia indirecta
para momentos postcontacto con la sociedad colonial. En una escala
espacial más amplia, se detecta que los niveles de conflicto en el NO de
la Patagonia fueron mayores que aquellos registrados para el NE de la
región. Para explicar la variación observada se propone la existencia de
relaciones causales entre niveles de conflicto con factores demográficos
y ecológicos. Finalmente, los resultados son interpretados a la luz de
líneas de evidencia complementarias. Las relaciones de conflicto en
el área no habrían sido disruptivas para los sistemas socioculturales
hasta los últimos 200 años, momento en el que se llevaron a cabo
campañas militares por parte del nuevo Estado Nacional.
... Asimismo, una gran parte de la porción central del área de estudio también presenta valores de distribución potencial bajos o moderados, tanto en el sur como en el norte de Patagonia. Estos resultados concuerdan con lo observado en otros trabajos (Pérez et al., 2016) y subraya la escasa productividad de los sectores intermedios alejados de los cursos de agua. En este sentido, los valores más elevados de distribución potencial se ubican en sectores peri-cordilleranos, ricos en fuentes de agua y con elevada productividad primaria. ...
... Sin embargo, es en la porción norte de Patagonia donde las ocupaciones ecuestres se diferencian en mayor medida de ocupaciones previas. En este sentido, espacios como la porción central del norte de Patagonia no muestran hasta el Holoceno tardío importantes evidencias de ocupación humana (ver figura 3 en Pérez et al., 2016) pero sí durante el período ecuestre. Esto posiblemente obedece a dos razones, en primer lugar, lo adecuado de las mesetas altas intermedias en términos de transitabilidad, calidad de pasturas y disponibilidad de agua, y por otro la influencia del asentamiento de Carmen de Patagones (1779), en la desembocadura del río Negro. ...
Introduction of horses in indigenous populations of Patagonia: routes of entry, ecological context and changes in patterns of mobility and subsistence at historical moments. The introduction of the horse in Patagonia changed the life of local populations on multiple levels. In particular, the subsistence and mobility of hunter-gatherer groups were highly impacted. Some relevant factors that influenced this process were: the time of adoption of this species, the spatial vectors of dispersion, certain climatic factors, the evaluation of costs and benefits associated with adoption of horses regarding their nutritional requirements and
ecology, and the nutritional yield of horse meat. In this paper we explore the impact that the adoption of horses would have had on Patagonian populations through the study of historical sources and the comparative analysis
of the nutritional yield of meat horse with respect to the prey traditionally exploited by hunter-gatherer groups
(i.e., guanaco). Likewise, we study the nutritional requirements of the species and the use of species distribution models to investigate the areas in Patagonia that could support horse populations. The results indicate different dispersion axes and adoption times in different areas of Patagonia. Likewise, we propose that differences in nutritional yield between horses and traditional prey may partly explain the rapid incorporation of this resource as a staple for Patagonian populations. Finally, we point out that the mobility patterns of human populations show some adaptation to the ecological requirements of horses.
... Limitados por entornos con escasos recursos, como los desiertos circundantes, los grandes ríos de la Patagonia cobran importancia para la vida (Borrero 2005;Prates et al. 2019). Los grupos humanos han habitado esta región desde hace miles de años, aunque se intensificó en los últimos 1500 (Barberena et al. 2015;Perez et al. 2016). El aumento demográfico complejizó las relaciones intergrupales modificando la naturaleza de las redes sociales, tendientes en algunos casos al conflicto y en otros a intercambios pacíficos (Otero et al. 2023). ...
Se presenta el análisis bioarqueológico de los restos óseos humanos procedentes de un sitio en la margen sur del valle superior del río Negro, Patagonia Argentina. El registro fue producto de un hallazgo fortuito y los restos fueron obtenidos mediante un rescate arqueológico. Se realizó un modelo 3D del sitio mediante fotogrametría. El sitio se emplaza en el perfil de un cañadón, con evidencias de derrumbes recientes. Está constituido por un entierro primario simple, posiblemente en chenque, con material cultural asociado. Sólo permanecían in situ elementos óseos correspondientes al esqueleto axial, una clavícula, dos metacarpianos y los peronés. Las estimaciones de la edad y el sexo sugieren que se trata de un individuo adulto joven femenino, y un fechado radiocarbónico indicó una antigüedad de 594 años AP (± 26). En la columna vertebral se registraron una serie de anomalías, una de ellas de baja frecuencia, identificada como hendidura sagital. La evaluación tafonómica del esqueleto indicó baja representación ósea, abundantes fracturas y diversas alteraciones de la superficie cortical que, en conjunto con el análisis depositacional, permitió interpretar que esta preservación regular habría sido resultado de la exhumación natural y parcial de los restos y, consecuentemente, de su exposición a los procesos y agentes bioestratinómicos propios del contexto geoambiental y depositacional del sitio. Para el valle superior del río Negro se trata del primer conjunto de restos excavados por un equipo de investigación científica, lo que contrasta con lo esperado para una región con altos niveles de ocupación humana actual.
... However, these reconstructions are challenging because multiple intrinsic (e.g., patterns of mortality, fertility, and morbidity) and extrinsic (e.g., postdepositional and temporal processes) factors may interfere between the living population and the demographic proxy used, making difficult the inference of past human population dynamics (Chamberlain, 2006;Cobos et al., 2022;French et al., 2021;Schmidt et al., 2021;Waldron, 1994). In this context, the exploration of the past demographic dynamics based on a variety of independent lines of evidence may contribute to the assessment of the possible factors that generate bias and assess the robustness of the inferences made (Chamberlain, 2006;Cobos, 2022;Bocquet-Appel & Masset,1982;Perez, Postillone, et al., 2016;Surovell & Brantingham, 2007;Williams, 2012). ...
... The demographic history of human populations from Northwest Patagonia and centralsouth Chile is an interesting study case, mainly because it was the northernmost area from last region of the world that was peopled by humans and previous works displayed disparate results (Borrero,1994(Borrero, -1995Briones & Lanata, 2002;Steele & Politis, 2009). First, demographic studies in Northwest Patagonia have analyzed archaeological evidence, such as radiocarbon dates and frequency of lithic artifacts, as indicator of relative human density (e.g., Barberena et al., 2015;Gil et al., 2014;Gord on et al., 2019;Llano et al., 2020;Méndez et al., 2015;Perez et al., 2017;Perez, Postillone, et al., 2016). Fluctuations in the archaeological signal are related to proportional changes in population size and distribution over time under the assumption that a larger number of individuals will leave a stronger archaeological signal than that corresponding to those periods in which the number of individuals is smaller (Arieta Baizabal, 2020;Chamberlain, 2006;Surovell & Brantingham, 2007;Williams, 2012). ...
... More recently, molecular markers such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have also gained ground in demographic studies of Northwest Patagonia and central-south Chile Bodner et al., 2012;Cobos, 2022;de Saint Pierre et al., 2012;Perez et al., 2017;Perez, Postillone, et al., 2016). The mtDNA contains historical-genealogical information that allows the application of molecular clock estimates and coalescent analyses to obtain reliable estimates of changes in population size over time at diverse spatial scales (Drummond et al., 2005;Ho & Shapiro, 2011;Tajima, 1983Tajima, , 1989Templeton et al., 1992). ...
In this study, we compare the patterns of demographic changes in populations from Northwest Patagonia and central‐south Chile throughout the Late Pleistocene–Holocene obtained from absolute dates with those resulting from molecular genealogies. We have found that temporal distributions of frequencies of absolute dates constitute a more sensitive demographic indicator than molecular data to make inferences at small spatial scales in the region. Moreover, even though the latter has proven to be very informative about old demographic processes, it represents a less reliable source of information for more recent ones.
... The long human occupation in the central southern region of Chile was initiated in the Early Archaic Period with sites located in the Andean Cordillera dating to around 12,000 and 6,500 cal BP on the coast (Campbell and Quiroz 2015) although earlier dates have been set for the broader region (e.g., Perez et al. 2016). The Ceramic Period is subdivided into the Early Ceramic Period, defined by the Pitr� en Cultural Complex (AD 350-1000), and the Late Ceramic Period, characterized by the El Vergel Cultural Complex (AD 1000-1550) (Ad� an and Mera 2011;Ad� an et al. 2016;Aldunate 2005;Bahamondes et al. 2014;Campbell 2011Campbell , 2014Campbell and Quiroz 2015;Mera and Munita 2021;Sanchez 1997, 2005). ...
The Arenal 1 site in central southern Chile is renowned for its chicken DNA evidence suggesting pre-Columbian contacts with Polynesia. Debates around the chronology of the site and the lack of additional evidence supporting contact, gave origin to a new archaeological excavation focusing on refining the site's chronology and recovering further archaeological materials. The results appear to reconfirm a pre-Columbian date for this site; however, our findings did not produce any evidence of contact with Polynesia. Instead, clear evidence of South American interregional interaction was detected with the territory of Neuqu� en, Argentina. ARTICLE HISTORY
... As regards human demography, estimations have been made for the South-Central Andes-including the southern Puna-and two areas of Patagonia-north-west and south, including the interior steppe-based on radiocarbon dates and mitochondrial DNA as proxies of changes in population size and absolute population size, respectively [80,81]. Both lines of evidence suggest earlier population growth in the South-Central Andes as compared to Patagonian areas, resulting in a much higher population density by the Late Holocene. ...
... Similarly to the Puna, the archaeological record of Middle Holocene Patagonia is also sparse. Some Patagonian areas have little evidence of human occupation during this time, suggesting local population decrease and change of settlement areas [80]. As in the Puna, it has been proposed that during drier periods, areas with water, faunal resources, firewood and shelter availability, such as lower basins, would have been privileged for settlement (e.g. ...
In this paper, we argue for the inclusion of archaeology in discussions about how humans have contributed to and dealt with climate change, especially in the long term. We suggest Niche Construction Theory as a suitable framework to that end. In order to take into account both human and environmental variability, we also advocate for a situated perspective that includes the Global South as a source of knowledge production, and the Neotropics as a relevant case study to consider. To illustrate this, we review the mid-Holocene Hypsithermal period in the southern Puna and continental Patagonia, both in southern South America, by assessing the challenges posed by this climate period and the archaeological signatures of the time from a Niche Construction Theory perspective. Finally, we emphasize the importance of these considerations for policymaking.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Climate change adaptation needs a science of culture’.
... The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess statistical differences in size (gross weight) between initial Late Holocene and final Late Holocene projectile point assemblages. Moreover, the Summed Calibrated Probability Density method (SCPD) of the 154 radiocarbon dates from the Late Holocene (Supplementary material, Dataset 1) was used to assess the relationship between the increase in human demography and the adoption of the bow-delivered projectiles (see Pérez et al., 2016). After that, the Monte-Carlo Probability Distribution method (see Shennan et al., 2013;Timpson et al., 2014) was used to compare the Summed Calibrated Probability Density (SCPD) of radiocarbon dates with a simulated null model expectation (Crema et al., 2016). ...
... Esta baja cantidad de trabajos contrasta con la mayor frecuencia de estudios recientes en el noroeste de Neuquén, donde se cuenta con más sitios excavados −tanto a cielo abierto como en cuevas y aleros− con largas secuencias ocupacionales y, entre otras evidencias registradas, se destaca la presencia de entierros humanos y arte rupestre (Hajduk et al. 2011;Barberena et al. 2015;Perez et al., 2016;Bernal et al. 2017). Sobre la base de estos antecedentes disímiles, se ha considerado hasta el momento que el noreste de Neuquén presentó una baja o nula frecuencia de ocupación humana durante el Holoceno o que constituyó una región de tránsito durante el Holoceno tardío final (Della Negra 1998;Hajduk et al. 2011; B a r b e r e n a 2 0 1 3 ; Bernal et al. 2017). ...
... Estos se distribuyen en forma heterogénea, ya que la mayor cantidad se concentra en el Bajo del Añelo. En términos espaciales, se observa una distribución puntual −o discontinua− en estrecha asociación con el agua, patrón generalizado en Patagonia (Perez et al. 2016). Así, se destaca la escasa frecuencia de hallazgos aislados, mientras que la mayor parte del material analizado se concentra formando sitios arqueológicos claramente delimitados en cercanías de ríos, arroyos y aguadas de carácter permanente o estacional (Figura 1). ...
El noreste del Neuquén, en particular la región ocupada por la Sierra del Auca Mahuida y áreas aledañas, presenta una escasa frecuencia de estudios arqueológicos. El objetivo general de este trabajo es estimar la intensidad y características de la ocupación humana en esta región a lo largo del Holoceno. Nuestros resultados, producto de cuatro campañas y el trabajo de laboratorio, indican que hay importantes diferencias entre las áreas que conforman la región de estudio en función del registro arqueológico recuperado. La mayor frecuencia de ocupación se observa en el Bajo del Añelo, mientras que la Sierra Auca Mahuida y la cuenca superior del río Colorado presentan una menor intensidad de ocupación. Las diferencias espaciales en la evidencia arqueológica y la frecuencia de sitios, sumada a la variabilidad ambiental observada, sugieren un uso estacional y complementario de los espacios altos de la Sierra y los bajos de la cuenca del río Colorado y el Bajo del Añelo. En este sentido, la disponibilidad de agua, las bajas temperaturas invernales y la variación estacional en la disponibilidad del guanaco probablemente tuvieron una gran influencia en la dinámica inferida para las poblaciones humanas prehistóricas de la región de estudio.
... Patagonian steppes were inhabited by hunter-gatherers for more than 13,000 years until the European arrival in the late sixteenth century. Archaeological data show that past human populations were well-adapted to extreme environments through subsistence strategies based on specialized hunting-fishing technologies, mixed diets (with a significant consumption of guanaco -Lama guanicoe-), low demography, long-network interactions and flexible land-use patterns (e.g., Barberena et al., 2015;Borrero et al., 2009;Franco et al., 2018;Garcia Guraieb et al., 2015;Méndez et al., 2014;Pérez et al., 2016;San Roman et al., 2016;Scheinsohn, 2018). ...
This work aims discussing the contribution of environmental and technological factors in rock art painting preservation, based on a 3-year experimental program and two archaeological cases from Patagonia (South America). Concerning technological factors, microscopic information of experimental and archaeological contexts indicate that fine-grained pigments have a better preservation potential than coarse-grained ones, likely related to the high binder adsorption capacity of silty and clay size particles, resulting in a strong pigment agglutination and substrate adherence. Mechanical entrapment/translocation of such small particles into the substrate further contributes to preservation. The experiment also evidences that blood-bearing paints present preservation advantages over fat/water-based ones, probably due to clotting and drying processes which agglutinate pigments and seal rock voids, avoiding binder migration. In contrast, experimental gypsum- and, to a lesser extent, charcoal-based paints show a rapid and significant deterioration, particularly in the temperate and humid context. The low archaeological expectancy derived from these results is supported by the scarce and/or ambiguous regional representation of these black pigments in ancient Patagonian paintings. Among natural factors, water-related processes (i.e., rainfall, snow, freezing and water infiltration) play a decisive role in the physicochemical paint degradation, also favoring bioactivity. Raman spectroscopy of neoformed white crystals in experimental paints may evidence, in a short term, a first stage of the profuse biomineralizations archaeologically observed, associated with lichens, fungus, and endolithic organisms. Finally, sheep rubbing and wind abrasion are proposed as the main agents affecting vertical frequencies and integrity of archaeological motifs at the cave and open-air contexts, respectively, whereas differences related to cardinal insolation likely impact in frequencies, motif color and weathering stages at the open-air site too.
... The groups that occupied Patagonia during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition (12,000 yBP) were likely small-scale huntergatherers (Borrero, 2001), who are currently mostly represented by a patchy, scattered and scarce archeological record. In spite of these limitations, it is apparent that the spatial occupation and population dynamics varied among regions and through time (Perez et al., 2016). Particularly since the Late Holocene, a stronger archeological signal is observed in some Patagonian areas (Borrero, 2001;Goñi, 2010), as for example in the Salitroso Lake Basin, located in the northwest of the current Santa Cruz province ( Figure 1). ...
Objectives: The main aim of this study is to discuss the migratory processes and peopling dynamics that shaped the genetic variability of populations during the settlement of the Southern Cone, through the analysis of complete mitogenomes of individuals from southern Patagonia.
Materials and Methods: Complete mitogenomes were sequenced through massively parallel sequencing from two late Holocene individuals (SAC 1-1-3 and SAC 1-1-4) buried in the same chenque at Salitroso Lake Basin (Santa Cruz province, Argentina). To evaluate matrilineal phylogenetic affinities with other haplotypes, maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions were performed, as well as a
haplotype median-joining network.
Results: The mitogenomes were assigned to haplogroups B2 and B2b, exhibiting an average depth of 54X and 89X (≥1X coverage of 98.6% and 100%), and a high number of nucleotide differences among them. The phylogenetic analyses showed a relatively close relationship between the haplotype found in SAC 1-1-4 and those retrieved from a Middle Holocene individual from Laguna Chica (Buenos Aires province), and from a group of individuals from the Peruvian coast. For the SAC 1-1-3, no clear affiliations to any other haplotype were established.
Discussion: The large divergence between the haplotypes presented in this study suggests either a highly variable founder gene pool, or a later enrichment by frequent
biological contact with other populations. Our results underline the persistence of genetic signals related to the first waves of peopling in South America, suggesting
that the regional settlement of the southern end of the continent has been much
more complex than initially thought.
