Guanacos en el Segundo Componente de Túnel I (Canal Beagle). Un enfoque tafonómico

Abstract

This article provides the results of the analysis of guanaco (Lama guanicoe) remains from Second Component of Tunel I site-northern shore of the Beagle Channel-particularly those included in the D layer (6.400-4.500 years AP). A taphonomic approach is used to identify which agents and processes took part in the formation of the assemblage, and to what degree. With this purpose in mind, a series of methodological procedures and taphonomic models not previously used in this region, are applied and evaluated in terms of its analytical and explanatory potential in this case. Special emphasis is placed on the evaluation of different types of anatomical quantification, and in the application of the Model of High and Low Potential for Survival, the conclusions stimulate future applications in similar feature sets. With respect to archaeological inferences derived from the analysis, it points out that the hunting of guanaco was made on a small scale, obtaining one or a few preys per event which were processed entirely. Differential anatomical representation and the frequency and variability of butchery marks, among other evidence, suggests differential transport of members, the intensive slaughter of the preys and the terminal position of Túnel I in the exploitation chain of this resource. However, also the dynamics of attritional processes, particularly the carnivore's action, would have had a significant impact on the differential preservation of elements.