Hunter-Gatherers in a Broad Landscape: Off-Site Regional Archaeology in the Coyle River Basin, Southern Patagonia (Argentina)

Abstract

New lithic distributional data from the Coyle River middle Basin is introduced.Focus is centered on the Terrace Landscape Unit and in their two main geoforms(terraces and closed basins). Both are studied considering artifact densities,raw materials, and artifact types. In addition, data from the Eastern and Westernsectors is compared. Evidence for the circulation of goods at large spatial scales andnew radiocarbon dates are informed and framed within a supraregional perspective.There is a low intensity regional landscape use, and internal variability is shown ineach geoform and at both sectors. Flint knapping events and the closed basins presentpeaks in artifact frequency. A ?punctuated landscape? generated by a high residentialmobility is proposed. This mobility pattern would have changed duringhistorical moments, primarily related to the incorporation of the horse. The landscapethat was mainly used for circulation, shortly after becomes a permanent residentialplace.Distributional results reinforce previous statements and also add variability tothe knowledge of hunter-gatherer landscape use of the Coyle River middle basinduring the Late Holocene.