Ramiro Barberena

OCUPACIONES HUMANAS EN LA MARGEN OCCIDENTAL DE PATAGONIA CENTRAL: EVENTOS DE POBLAMIENTO EN ALTO RÍO CISNES

We present a synthesis of the research conducted at El Chueco 1 site (CIS 042). The archaeo- logical locality is a point of great significance for understanding the peopling dynamics in a marginally occupied area of Central Patagonia. The temporal extension (11.500 to 2.570 cal. years BP.) and discrete occupational event superposition make the excavated context a good measure for regional human pulses

Geoarqueología en Pali Aike: Cueva Orejas de Burro 1(Patagonia, Argentina)

We present stratigraphic and geoarchaeological evidences from the Orejas de Burro 1 archaeological site, located in the southern part of the Pali Aike Lava Field (Santa Cruz province, Argentina). We develop discussions about formation processes of the sedimentary deposits, the chronology of the archaeological assemblages found in these deposits, and the regional palaeoclimatic implications of certain sedimentological features observed in the stratigraphy. This is a first step towards a geoarchaeological approach that aims to integrate the archaeological record of stratified rockshelters and caves within a broader biogeographical framework for southern Patagonian archaeology.

First study of fossil rodent middens as source of paleoparasitological evidences (northwestern Patagonia, Argentina)

The present paper reports the first paleoparasitological results obtained from coprolites of fossil rodent middens and demonstrates the potential of rodent middens as a source of paleoparasitological evidences in South America. Ten fossil rodent middens from northwestern Patagonia, Argentina, were studied. Five coprolites of each midden were fully processed, rehydrated, homogenized, subjected to spontaneous sedimentation, and examined through light microscopy. Eight of the 10 examined rodent middens contained parasite eggs. The eggs of parasites were assigned to Heteroxynema (Cavioxyura) viscaciae Sutton & Hugot, 1989 and Helminthoxys sp. (Nematoda: Oxyuridae), Trichuris sp. (Nematoda: Trichuridae) and one unidentified nematode. Fossil rodent middens were assigned to Lagidium viscacia (Caviomorph: Chinchillidae). The excellent preservation of parasite remains in coprolites from fossil rodent middens provided an opportunity to perform paleoparasitological inferences. The results of this papers demonstrates that fossil rodent middens offer an excellent opportunity for the recovery of parasite remains for future paleoparasitological studies in the southwest of South America.