Peopling of the high Andes of northwestern Argentina

Abstract

The goal of this presentation is to review the current evidence in order to model the early peopling of the highlands of Northwestern Argentina. Paleoenvironmental evidence of the late Pleistocene and early Holocene is thoroughly reviewed in order to set the stage of the process of human settlement of the Puna region of Argentina. I will analyze chronological evidence and the archaeological record –especially the archaeofaunas- of early hunter-gatherer occupations dated between 10,500 and 9000 BP (12,500 to 10,000 cal. BP). Finally, I discuss specific cultural and environmental aspects related to the dispersion and human colonization of the highland plateau.