Modern Bone Distribution in the Pampas of Argentina: Taphonomic Implications for the Regional Archaeological Record

Abstract

In this paper we present the results of naturalistic taphonomic observations made in different environmental contexts of the Pampas region. The objective of this study is to evaluate the formation processes of bone assemblages in different sized vertebrates. In the hills, medium-sized vertebrates dominate the assemblages and the main accumulating agents are carnivores. In the shallow lakes and fluvial valleys, bones of large-sized vertebrates are predominant and accumulate mainly by natural death and discard of the carcasses by local farmers. The coast shows a more uniform representation of small, medium, and large-sized vertebrates, which is related to high biodiversity and good visibility of the bones deposited in this environment. Finally, the information from the plains indicates a similar representation of medium and large-sized vertebrates, both deposited by natural deaths. Results from the taphonomic analysis suggest higher destruction rates of bones of small-sized animals, and the likelihood of preservation and burial of animal bones varies in each of the environments. The mixing of bone remains with the archaeological deposits is dependent on these variables.