Archaeology of Piedra Museo Locality: An Open Window to the Early Population of Patagonia

This book provides insights into the earliest hunter-gatherer lifeway in Southern Patagonia through archaeological investigations at Piedra Museo Locality. It highlights the management of lithic raw materials and social networks from the first human occupation to territorial consolidation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 535 pages
Publication date: 05 February 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate knowledge of landscapes and the unique characteristics of the earliest hunter-gatherer lifeway in Southern Patagonia. It presents a comprehensive analysis of the extensive archaeological investigations conducted over three decades by an interdisciplinary team comprised of archaeologists, anthropologists, paleontologists, geologists, and specialists in pollen and diatoms. The extensive database yielded from these systematic surveys and excavations was recovered from the Pleistocene and Holocene stratigraphic layers of the renowned rockshelter known as AEP-1, located in the central plateau of Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Piedra Museo is a truly unique place in the world, holding some of the earliest archaeological remains discovered in the Americas.

Researchers meticulously defined two strata and several Stratigraphic units within the site based on the intricate sedimentological and pedological characteristics. Within these depositional zones, the researchers discovered archaeological remains that are interpreted as hunting events corresponding to two primary different occasions in the human colonization of the region. Additionally, a third human occupation during the Middle Holocene was identified, coinciding with the massive rockshelter roof collapse. The study of faunal remains provided a fresh perspective on the palaeoenvironmental evolution of this enclosed basin.

This volume meticulously details the management of lithic raw materials and the development of social networks from the initial human occupation of the Patagonian region to the territorial consolidation of hunter-gatherer societies. It sheds light on the technological advancements, economic strategies, and social structures that shaped the early human communities in this region. The book offers a rich and detailed account of the past, providing valuable insights into the evolution of human societies and their interactions with their environments.

Weight: 842g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030925055
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022