Investigaciones bioarqueológicas en la laguna Chadilauquen, Embajador Martini, departamento Realicó, provincia de La Pampa. Segunda etapa

Abstract

In this paper we present the results of the analysis of archaeological evidence recovered since 1989 during different archaeological and bioarchaeological fieldworks at Chadilauquen lagoon, located about five km SE from the town of Embajador Martini (Realicó district, La Pampa Province, Argentina). The aim of this second stage was to contribute with new information obtained from new naturally exposed archaeological evidence and to compare and evaluate it with the information obtained in previous fieldworks. Post deposit factors were analyzed to provide a more accurate characterization on the formation processes that took place and determined the distribution of findings as well as the sedimentary removal phenomenon observed at the NE margin of the lagoon. The new findings were found in a similar topologic position than those recovered between 1989 and 1994. On April 2003, due to a formal invitation from the County authorities, the works at the lagoon were renewed. In the year 2005 adequate climatic conditions as well as the decrease of water level made possible to continue systematic research at the place. In 2009, bone and dental samples were obtained for AMS dating and sent to the University of Arizona. Several chemical analyses were performed at the University of Arizona as well as at the University of South Florida. Results suggest the existence of different episodes of human occupation potentially verifiable at least from two stratigraphic levels. Possible chronologic differences throughout the Holocene and the existence of chronologic as well as cultural variation in a general isotopic C3 pattern are discussed.