Over the last decades, research on microbial bioerosion affecting archaeological bone assemblages highlighted the fact that this is a significant factor determining the long-term survival of vertebrate hard tissues as well as the quality of the biological information retrievable from them (e.g. isotopic, genetic, histomorphological). In spite of this, information about bioerosion is still scarce or inexistent for most regions around the world. Among the likely causes of this situation are the perceived and factual technical difficulties that surround the implementation of a standard research on this subject. Taking this into account, the aim of this paper is twofold: on the one hand, to describe a protocol for the preparation of bone samples (thick sections) suitable for observation with BSE-SEM that fulfils the criteria of simplicity, low cost and effectiveness; on the other hand, to present and discuss the first results derived from the application of such protocol to artiodactyl bone samples recovered at different Late Holocene archaeological sites from the southern Pampas of Argentina. The obtained results indicate that the implemented technique was effective in terms of providing good quality information at a very low cost as measured from the resources (time and materials) invested. In addition, the results show that a significant part of the analysed specimens exhibit extensive and intensive histological alteration compatible with the action of bacteria, which is unexpected in light of the currently prevailing model about the origin and conditions of the bacterial attack on animal bones in archaeological deposits (i.e. the so-called "endogenous model").
Keywords: ARGENTINE PAMPAS; BONE HISTOLOGICAL PRESERVATION; BSE-SEM; LATE HOLOCENE; MICROBIAL ATTACK; Historia; Historia y Arqueología; HUMANIDADES.
Keywords: ANTROPOLOGIA; Museos; Patrimonio arqueológico; Indígena; Identidades; Discursos; Museums; Native archaeological; Patrimony; Identities; Discourses.
The aim of this paper is to discuss an approach to formulate testable hypothesis about the location of lithic raw material sources based on the use of continuous spatial models of the percentage representation of rocks in georeferenced artefact assemblages. Although not new, this approach has only recently begun to be explored in depth. Its logic is simple: in continuous surfaces, conspicuous peaks or bulges of relative frequency are expected to occur-under certain conditions-at or near the sources; a peak or bulge that not coincide with the location of some previously described source may alert about the likely presence of an undetected supply area, thus helping in planning problem-oriented surveys and implementing more analytical sourcing activities. Due to the nature of the input data, . i.e. relative frequencies, it is expected that the method perform well in areas relatively rich of raw material sources and when dealing with sources consistently utilized through time. To exemplify the approach, we present two case studies from southern South America (Southern Pampas/North-eastern Patagonia and South-western Patagonia; República Argentina).
Keywords: ARTEFACT DISTRIBUTION; GIS; INTERPOLATION; RAW MATERIAL SOURCES; RELATIVE FREQUENCIES; Historia; Historia y Arqueología; HUMANIDADES.
Creación y recreación del conocimiento sobre el pasado: un ejemplo en el norte de la provincia de Buenos Aires.
Se presenta el trabajo realizado en el marco de dos Proyectos de Voluntariado Universitario de la Secretaría de Cultura y Educación de la Nación, realizados desde el Centro de Estudios Arqueológicos Regionales de la Facultad de Humanidades y Artes (UNR), en articulación con instituciones provinciales y municipales. El área de implementación, el norte de la provincia de Buenos Aires, constituye un caso particular dada la existencia de importantes colecciones y sitios arqueológicos. Con el objetivo de socializar el conocimiento producido por la investigación arqueológica en relación al valor histórico de este patrimonio, se habilitaron espacios de discusión, tales como realización de encuentros, charlas y talleres en diferentes instituciones educativas, y otras actividades de difusión. La interacción generada entre investigadores y comunidades locales, propició la reflexión y el dialogo en la creación y recreación del conocimiento.
It is here presented the work produced as part of two University Volunteer Work Projects of the National Secretariat of Culture and Education, realized by the Regional Center of Archaeological Studies of the Humanities and Fine Arts University (UNR), together with provincial and local institutions. The area of implementation is the Northern area of the province Buenos Aires and it constitutes a particular case, considering the existence of important collections and archaeological sites. With the aim of publishing the knowledge produced by the archaeological research in relationship to the historical value of this patrimony, several opportunities for debate have been established - such as meetings, lectures and workshops in different educational institutions and other activities aimed at dissemination of the news. This interaction generated between researchers and local communities promoted reflection and dialogue as part of the creation and recreation of knowledge. Both projects tended towards the pursuit of consensus in the implementation of policies for the protection of the regional archaeological patrimony and the promotion of social equity and the respect for cultural diversity in places open to expression and dialogue.
Author affiliation: Hernández, Anahí - CONICET - Instituto de Arqueología, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, UBA. Escuela de Antropología, Facultad de Humanidades y Artes, UNR.
Keywords: Patrimonio arqueológico; Investigadores; Comunidad; Proyecto de extensión.