Abstract

CAPPARELLI, Aylén et al. The study of human-plants interactions in Argentina: History of building of an interdisciplinary approach from Museo de La Plata (FCNYM-UNLP). Comechingonia [online]. 2015, vol.19, n.2, pp.19-53. ISSN 1851-0027.

This article synthesizes the academic history and lines of research from 60 years of joint studies of two research unities at the Natural Sciences Faculty, La Plata University. Discussed are the emergence of Archaeobotany as a scientific discipline and its globalization. Within this framework, we include recent research at archaeological sites throughout the Argentine Arid Diagonal. Methodologies include the compilation of comparative collections and the development of field and laboratory protocols, along with complementary ethnobotanical and actualistic studies. Research results are summarized in three sections: 1) selection, cultivation and domestication; 2) the use of pipes and other combustibles; and 3) patterns of plant management, processing, and subsistence, including activity areas. The importance of interdisciplinary and multi-proxy analysis in archaeobotanical research is emphasized.

Keywords : Archaeobotany; Academic history; Argentine Arid Diagonal; Multi-proxy analysis.