Abstract

PERALTA, Eva A.. TRENDS IN BODY USE DURING THE LATER LATE HOLOCENE IN THE ATUEL RIVER VALLEY, SOUTH OF MENDOZA. Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2020, vol.21, n.2, pp.187-200.  Epub July 27, 2020. ISSN 1850-373X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.37176/iea.21.2.2020.510.

This paper explores body use markers to evaluate the lifestyle of human groups in the Atuel River Valley, south of Mendoza, during the past 2000 years using the framework of hunter-gatherer/food production interaction. Specifically, the aim is to evaluate the mechanical demands associated with mobility and physical activities linked to subsistence. To this end, the variation in entheseal changes and indicators of joint damage were studied. Trends between spatial units (Monte and Patagonia deserts) and temporal blocks (2000-1000 BP and 1000-200 BP) were also compared. The study results show that samples from both deserts exhibit differentiated patterns that could be related to differences in body use. For the first temporal block, mobility in Monte was lower than in Patagonia and the upper limbs were less stressed. For the second time block, there are no substantial changes. Trends could be explained by sex, age and body size effects. Currently, the latter variables are unknown due to sample limitations.

Keywords : Hunting-gathering/food production transition; Mobility; Entheseal changes; Joint injuries.

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