Late Holocene plant use in the Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina: Evidence from phytoliths and starch grains. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lalinde Aguilar, Verónica; Heider, Guillermo; Curtoni, Rafael; Borgo, Mariangeles; Chiesa, Jorge O.; Ramos, Gabriela
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 21(2018)
• Page Start: 413
• Page End: 421
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Archaeobotany -- Knapped artifacts -- Late Holocene -- Domestic and wild resources -- Pampean Mountains of Argentina; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.08.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: Archaeobotanical studies carried out in the southern Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina (San Luis Province) are reported, which add new information about the presence of cultigens in the area during the late Holocene and the variety of wild species used in this period. The presence of starch grains of Zea mays (corn), Cucurbita sp. (squash), undifferentiated tubers, and Phaseolus sp. (beans), as well as phytoliths of Panicoideae, Chloridoideae, Arundinoideae, Bambuseae, Cyperaceae, Asteraceae, Arecaceae and woody dicotiledons are documented from analyses on knapped tools. The obtained data allow discussing the diversity of the resources utilized and the importance of cultigens in prehispanic times in a context that is currently considered the southern limit of prehispanic food production economies. Highlights: Plant micro-remains on knapped tools Domestic and wild plant resources Complex subsistence in Sierras Pampeanas