Loma de los Muertos site: multiple occupations on a sand dune in East Norpatagonia (Argentina)

Abstract

In this article the results of the analysis of the archaeological record of Loma de los Muertos site (General Conesa district, Río Negro province, Argentine) is presented. In this site, domestic and two inhumatory activities were carried out, including human burials and, at least, one extint carnivore (Dusicyon avus). Three radiocarbon dates were obtained from the human burials and one for the canid remains, which locate the site in a time span between ca. 3.000 and 2.000 years BP. As a complement, the surface domestic materials related to the camp site were dated in ca. 500 years BP. Materials for lithic artefacts were obtained from both primary (sandstone for ground stone tools) and secondary sources (volcanic cobbles for knapped tools). Archaeofauna remain analysis shows several animals were exploited, such as mammals (guanaco and pampean deer), birds (ñandú -sudamerican ostrich-), fishes and freshwater molluscs, all available nearby the site. Pottery remains studies allowed reconstructing a complete vessel which was probably used in a domestic context. There are no evidences to prove chronological association between inhumatory and domestic activities at the site.