δ13C and δ15N in hunter-gatherers of the Upper Santa Cruz river basin (Patagonia, Argentina) during the Late Holocene

Abstract

This study aims to examine the paleodietary variation of individuals recovered from two sites in the upper basin of the Santa Cruz River dated at the beginning and end of the Late Holocene. δ13C and δ15N values from bone collagen of 14 individuals are presented. Two different paleodiets were observed. The first one was associated with the intake of terrestrial Patagonia steppe resources and, as expected, belongs to the larger group of samples.The second paleodiet was observed in a male adult from Río Bote 1 (RB1-A), which, despite being discovered 180 km away from the nearest coast, clearly incorporates marine resources into his diet. In addition, δ13C and δ15N values in human remains recovered from similar burials in southern Patagonia are considered. The diversity of Patagonian hunter-gatherers’ diets during the Late Holocene was highlighted on a large spatial analytical scale. This reflects diversity of groups in terms of mobility and food intake in relation to specific environments.The observed paleodietary circumscription, however, does not imply a lack of circulation of technologies, artifacts, ecofacts, and ideas at wider spatial scales.