Abstract

ALVAREZ, María Clara; MEDINA, Carlos R. Belotti López de  and  GRECO, Catriel. USE OF ANIMALS IN THE YOCAVIL VALLEY (CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA): THE CASE STUDY OF THE LATE SITE (11TH TO 16TH CENTURY AD) LOMA RICA DE SHIQUIMIL. Comechingonia [online]. 2021, vol.25, n.3, pp.31-40. ISSN 1851-0027.

The Loma Rica de Shiquimil archaeological site is located at the Calchaqui Valleys (Northwestern Argentina) and was dated to the Late Period, also known as Regional Developments (ca. from the 11th to 16th century AD). We present the results of the analysis conducted on the faunal remains recovered during the last fieldwork season. Our research objectives are to assess the utilization of animals at the site, the occurrence of wild and domestic camelids species, as well as proxies of seasonality, and site formation processes. Our analyses included taxonomic and anatomical identification of bone specimens, multivariate analysis of morphometric measurements, recording of bone modifications by natural and cultural processes, and, finally, quantification of primary data. In total, 1503 bone specimens were analyzed. Results indicate the predominance of camelids, among which at least one individual of Vicugnavicugna and another of Lama sp. were identified. Camelid specimens corresponding to different age-groups were identified and diverse activities related to their butchering and consumption were established. This research provides new data that contributes to the ongoing discussion regarding animal utilization during the Late Period, for which data on subsistence activities remains scarce.

Keywords : Calchaqui Valleys; camelids; Late Period; defensive settlements; pukara.

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