Estudio geológico preliminar del alero rocoso Cerro Castillo (Patagonia austral, Chile)

Abstract

The study of the Cerro Castillo rockshelter (Patagonia, southernmost Chile) identify four main sedimentary phases: 1) deposition of calcareous detritus derived from the fragmentation of the rock wall during the early Holocene, 2) development of a decalcified forest brown soil dated to ca. 4800 14C BP, probably in connection with a wet period, 3) formation of a colluvial calcareous humus horizon, associated with a steppic vegetation and 4) deposition of cattle excrements. The microartefact content (lithic industry, charcoal, bone fragments) of the layers shows significant fluctuations along the stratigraphy. These are attributed either to anthropogenic (multiple human occupation) or natural factors (artefact redistribution due to overland flow, bone dissolution in the palaeosoil).