Los conjuntos faunísticos pleistocénicos de cueva las guanacas (región de Aisen, patagonia chilena): Alcances taxonómicos y tafonómicos

Abstract

The results of taxonomic and taphonomic analyses from the lowermost layers of the Cueva Las Guanacas archaeological site (XI Region, Chilean Central Patagonia) are presented. Eight major taxa have been identified, among them four extinct (Mylodon darwini Owen, Macrauchenia patachonica Owen, Hippidion saldiasi Roth and Camelidae indet.) and other four currently living on the valley or nearby areas (Hippocamelus bisulcus Molina, Pudu pudu Molina, Lama guanicoe Müller y Dusicyon culpaeus Molina). The taphonomic analysis confirms the non-cultural nature of the early levels and instead backs up the idea of non human predators occupying the cave. Resorting to many different lines of evidence (ethology of Pleistocene predators, observed taxonomic and skeletal profiles, gastric acid corrosion and other damages), it is claimed that the agent responsible for the Pleistocene/Holocene bone assemblage at cueva Las Guanacas were carnivores (including a mid-sized feline, possibly Panthera onca Linnaeus). These predators would have had deveoped several strategies to obtain the carcasses, including active hunt and scavenging around 13.200 BP.