The study of Archaeofauna at Middle Holocene in Aep-1 rockshelter, Santa Cruz, Argentina: Taphonomic implications

Abstract

The taphonomic history of the Middle Holocene archaeological component at the AEP-1 site was studied based on the analysis of bone modifications of the archaeofaunistic assemblage and the features of the geological matrix. Such indicators represent excellent examples of the agents and generating processes of the archeological context at the Piedra Museo AEP-1 rock shelter, located in the Deseado Massif, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. The present day environment is the remains of a paleolagoon, within the arid basaltic plateau. The analyzed zooarcheological context comes from stratigraphic unit 2 (SU 2), which constitutes the IIA horizon of a local paleosol. The pedogenetic process started to develop beginning in 7000 BP. The SU 2 matrix of the palaeosoil is of eolian origin, with a pedogenetic reorganization, where root and insect activity are highly developed. Therefore, the study of bioturbations and diagenesis (i.e. etching, stained and differential weathering of bone specimens) were analyzed. However, the large number of postdepositional bone modifications was not enough to obliterate the marks of human activity on bone material made during the Middle Holocene, which supports the previous hypothesis that the site could have been an area of multiple activities with loci of secondary and final processing of prey.