Micromorphological analysis of soils in the archaeological site El Cangrejo, Corrientes, Argentina

Abstract

In this work we will present the results of the application of soil micromorphology at the El Cangrejo archaeological site, located in Uruguay basin, southeast of the province of Corrientes, Argentina. Through the information collected and the conjunction of data from X-ray diffractograms, textural identity and pedological surveys, it was possible to reconstruct the climatic conditions contemporary to human occupation at the site, as well as the anthropic activities carried out. At the same time, we have proposed a soil development model and discussed the pedogenetic processes that occurred as inferred from the different lines of evidence. In this sense, we highlight the potential of soil micromorphology to investigate the archaeological past and discern between natural and anthropic processes.