Abstract

HAMMOND, Heidi. Spatial distributions of shell middens on the northern coast of Santa Cruz, patagonia argentina: characteristics Of the archaeological record and use of litoral Landscape by hunter-gatherer populations. Comechingonia [online]. 2018, vol.22, n.2, pp.1-12. ISSN 1851-0027.

The results of the systematic surveys developed on the northern coast of Santa Cruz area, are presented. The spatial distribution of shell middens and structural, compositional, contextual and formational aspects of the deposits were recorded, as well as the geomorphological and environmental conditions of the spaces in which the sites are located. The aim is to analyze the spatial characteristics and the variability of the archaeological record to advance on the understanding of the use of the coastal spaces and the resources exploited by past populations. Evidence indicates that similar types of activities would have been developed in shell middens recorded in different archaeological localities. However, the frequency of this type of site, the densities of materials, as well as the size of shell middens show differences that could be related to the characteristics of the environments, the functionality given to the different spaces, the availability of resources and fresh water sources. Finally, the existence of a distributional pattern of shell middens is defined by the association between the spaces where the sites are located and their proximity to low slope coasts, with the presence of rocky abrasion platforms with availability of mollusks and other food resources such as birds and pinnipeds, is considered.

Keywords : Distributional Archaeology - Patagonian maritime coast - Archaeomalacology - lithic artifacts - bone remains.