Archaeobotany of mound structures in Campo del Pucara, Catamarca, Argentina (1750–1450 B.P.): Ceremonial use or rubbish dumps?

Abstract

The archaeobotanical macroremains discussed in this study were recovered from six mound structures at Campo del Pucar´a (Andalgal´a, Catamarca, northwest Argentina), a site inhabited between ca. 1750 and 1450 b.p. (a.d. 200–500). The most important identified taxon was Zea mays var. minima (maize), Acacia sp., Prosopis sp., P. nigra or P. alba, P. torquata (Leguminosae of the Mimosoideae subfamily), Phaseolus sp., P. vulgaris var. vulgaris, P. v. var. aborigineus, undetermined P. vulgaris (beans) and Cucurbita maxima (winter squash). The plant remains represent the leftovers of food, fuel and building materials. Plants were grown and gathered in the near surroundings. The material identified most probably represents waste, however it could not be unambiguously attributed either to household or ceremonial activities.