Abstract

BELLINZONI, Jonathan E.; KAUFMANN, Cristian A.  and  ALVAREZ, María Clara. The role of the vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) in the formation processes of archaeological sites from the Argentinian interhill plains. Rev. Mus. Antropol. [online]. 2021, vol.14, n.1, pp.47-64. ISSN 1852-060X.  http://dx.doi.org/http://doi.org/10.31048/1852.4826.v14.n1.28670.

Abstract The movement of sediments generated by digging animals/burrowing mammals is one of the main formation processes affecting the archaeological sites in the Pampas region. In this article, we present/report the results of an actualistic study conducted on a vizcacha colony, in the archaeological locality El Trebolar, province of Buenos Aires. The main objective was to describe the impact that these rodents generate on the landscape in order to identify their action on the archaeological sites of the region. The analysis of 21 vizcacheras showed that the vizcachas affect the archaeological record in different ways. Firstly, their digging activity alters stratigraphic sequences and generates associations of material of different chronology. Secondly, the vizcacheras are occupied by other animals, producing/giving rise to taxonomically rich faunal assemblages. In addition, these rodents carry locally available objects to their burrows. Finally, a high percentage of bone specimens present/shows grooves generated by vizcachas to keep their incisors functional. In conclusion, evidence would allow recognizing the action of this rodent in the fossil record, distinguishing it from other fossorial animals that inhabit the Pampas region.

Keywords : Actualistic taphonomy; Fossorial animals; Vizcacheras; Bioturbation; Pampas region.

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