Abstract

AGUIRRE, M. Gabriela  and  RODRIGUEZ, M. Fernanda. Theoretical and methodological discussions around the transition between collection and incipient agriculture in Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca. Comechingonia [online]. 2015, vol.19, n.2, pp.159-183. ISSN 1851-0027.

In recent years, methodological, technical and conceptual innovations were incorporated in several work teams that perform archaeobotanical studies in Antofagasta de la Sierra area. The approach to different archaeological issues through macro and micro botanical remains, profoundly expanded the knowledge about the human groups that inhabited the area. The Archaeobotany and sub-disciplines that integrate it, make possible the analysis from asynchronic and diachronic perspective. Considering the latter, it is interesting to analyze the process through which the transition between extractive and productive economies took place during the period 6000-1100 years BP. Different environmental factors -natural, social and cultural- as well as the geographical characteristics, certainly played a role. Then, the goal is to investigate how the archaeobotanical record shows this process in the area. At the same time, from the investigations carried out and/or in progress, evaluate and re-evaluate the results obtained by analyzing both the theoretical and methodological gaps for the transition time: gathering-incipient agriculture. It is important to raise new questions that lead to the need to seek different theoretical and methodological routes for resolution that simultaneously generate conceptual discussions.

Keywords : Southern Puna; Crops; Macro and micro-botanical remains; Extractive economies.