Final Pleistocene faunal diversity, human processing and consumption in the central plateau of Santa Cruz, Argentina: Contributions from Cueva Túnel site

Abstract

In this work, we presented, analyzed and discussed the faunal variability corresponding to the final Pleistocene component (ca. 12.700–11.400 cal years BP) of Cueva Túnel site (Argentine Patagonia). The information generated allowed us to determine that this site contains the greatest faunal diversity in the region for this period. The presence of various herbivores, carnivores and birds is recorded at the site, many of them extinct. Likewise, several species show evidence of human use, with the group of camelids (Lama guanicoe, Lama gracilis and Hemiauchenia paradoxa) being the most important in terms of consumption. Evidence of human use of other species such as foxes, pumas, birds and extinct horses was also recorded. This highlights that prey-predator relationships were not restricted only to extinct megafauna, but also involved species that still exist today. Likewise, it allows us to propose the complementary use of other animals along with the main prey, the camelids.