Abstract

FRANK, Ariel D.. BEFORE THE EMBERS BURN OUT. HEARTHS IN THE CENTRAL PLATEAU OF SANTA CRUZ DURING THE MIDDLE HOLOCENE.. Comechingonia [online]. 2020, vol.24, n.2, pp.1-10. ISSN 1851-0027.

This paper presents a general overview of the hearths found in archaeological sites of the Central Plateau of Santa Cruz with chronologies which range between 8,000 and 4,000 radiocarbon years before present. This information contributes to the analysis of topics such as the intrasite use of space or the intensity of occupations. As the available information is fragmentary, an intensive survey of the publications about the sites in the region is performed. Results show that there were hearths in most of the sites, although in small numbers. Combustion structures are usually flat and elliptic, but there are also pit hearths. Both types are sometimes associated with stones. Although there is a fluctuation in size, some hearths are larger than those recorded for earlier periods. Hearths are usually located in the central area of the rock-shelters, though nearer to the walls than to the drip line. Hearths from a same component are sometimes nearby one another or even superimposed; in other sites there is a considerable distance between each other. These characteristics are consistent with relatively intense occupations.

Keywords : Combustion structures; Survey; Patagonia; Middle Holocene..