Human populations of the lower course of the San Antonio River at the end of the late holocene.

Contributions from an archaeological rescue in la quinta 1915-12 site (Punilla Valley, Córdoba)

Abstract

The results of the analyses carried out on archaeological and bioanthropological material recovered at La Quinta 1915-12 site are. Taphonomic variables were recorded on the osseous material (weathering, root marks, chemical precipitation, fauniturbation, fragmentation, anthropic modifications, percentage of preserved surface and degree of integrity). Bioanthropological analyses (MNI, MNE, MAU, MAU%), and techno-typological analyses on lithic material were also applied. Human skeletal remains of at least 7 individuals (6 adults and 1 infant) were recovered, as well as 308 identified faunal specimens which were identified as Chinchillidae, Equidae and Bovidae and undetermined mammals, 185 quartz and siliceous lithic artifacts and 4 ecofacts (whose characteristics suggest activities of carving and processing of raw materials). Similarities and differences regarding to other sites in the region are discussed. It is interesting to contribute to the discussion about the human settlements that were established in this region during the late Holocene, especifically related to the diet and health of people who were buried in the site, congenital anomalies, as well as issues related to their use of space and available resources.