Abstract

ROMANO, Victoria et al. The Aguada Cecilio site and its contribution to the bioarcheological and funerary variability of Northeastern Patagonia during the late Holocene. Rev. Mus. Antropol. [online]. 2024, vol.17, n.1, pp.69-82.  Epub Apr 30, 2024. ISSN 1852-060X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.31048/1852.4826.v17.n1.42524.

Multiple human burial sites have been found in Northeastern Patagonia. In the Negro River valley, burials share certain characteristics such as being in elevated areas and being reused for both burials and other activities. This pattern extends in the valley of the Colorado River and the Atlantic Coast. To the South of the Negro River, in the lowlands or “travesía”, there is no information available regarding mortuary sites. By contrast, there is information immediately to the South of the travesía, in the Somuncurá foothills and plateau. In this region, the mortuary sites differ from those in the North by their emplacement in small rock shelters, their exclusive use for mortuary purposes, and generally having funerary accompaniment. This paper presents the results of the analysis of the human remains of the Aguada Cecilio site (Somuncurá foothills, Río Negro, Argentina) and discusses them regarding the variability of bioarchaeological record from the interior of Northeast Patagonia during the late Holocene. The site contains only subadult remains with signs of postmortem manipulation and an associated projectile point. Its inclusion into the regional bioarchaeological evidence made it possible to discuss the variation in the funerary pattern between the North and South interior of Northeastern Patagonia.

Keywords : Subadults; Mortuary niche; Postmortem manipulation; Hunter-gatherers; Archeology.

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