Abstract

IZETA, Andrés Darío  and  SCATTOLIN, María Cristina. Zooarchaeology of a Formative domestic unit: The case of Loma Alta (Catamarca, Argentina). Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2006, n.7, pp.193-205. ISSN 1850-373X.

The aim of this paper is to present data and interpretations of the household economy of a Formative Period archaeological site from northwestern Argentina (Loma Alta Núcleo E) based on the analysis of the camelid record. The occurrence of other taxa (birds, armadillos, rodents, and cervids) is relatively poor, making their interpretation in economic terms very difficult without a comparison with camelid remains. Subsequently, camelid species presence and age classes (based on bone fusion stages) are considered in order to evaluate the acquisition, use and management of those animals by the old inhabitants of this domestic unit. The study of the camelid assemblage allows us to interpret the presence of herding strategies complemented with hunting activities. Lastly, a general tendency towards the use of high return rate anatomical units was observed.

Keywords : Zooarchaeology; Formative Period; Domestic unit; Camelids.

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