Ichthyoarcheological investigation at Los Bananos site, alluvial plain of Middle Paraná River (Goya, Corrientes, Argentina)

Abstract

This paper presents the analysis of the ichtyoarchaeological record from Los Bananos site (Goya, Corrientes, Argentine). The aim of this study is to render a first evaluation to the role played by fish in subsistence during subsequent occupations of the site. The site is located in the alluvial plain of Middle Paraná River, beside Paraná Miní creek, and it has provided new information about pottery and lithic technology, subsistence, chronology (14C), site formation processes, etc. Bones from Los Bananos have been divided into three assemblages (LB1, LB2 and LB3), according to associated cultural materials. The pre-Hispanic populations that occupied this area by the end of the Late Holocene based their subsistence in hunting, gathering and fishing. Also, the makers of a distinctive ceramic ware associated with LB1 assemblage (related to Goya-Malabrigo entity -lato sensu-), relied on small-scale horticulture. Preceding materials of the other sets (LB2 and LB3) do not present necessary characteristics for cultural association as shown in LB1. The assemblages will be discussed in sequence of their deposition; and compared with results from other related sites. The results of zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis of the faunal remains suggest that fish was an important resource in LB1. While from LB3 analysis, we will see that fish constituted a complementary resource in the diet. Thus, we can infer that, the role of animals in the diet of the site's prehistoric inhabitants changed during the time deposits were laid.