Sitio Gallucci: primer hallazgo arqueológico de restos óseos humanos en el valle superior del río Negro, Patagonia Argentina

Abstract

We present a bioarchaeological analysis of human skeletal remains from a site on the south bank of the upper Negro River valley, Argentine Patagonia. The record resulted from an occasional finding, and the remains were obtained through an archaeological rescue operation. A 3D model of the site was made using photogrammetric techniques. The site is located in the profile of a ravine, with evidence of recent collapses. It consists of a simple primary burial, in a chenque, with associated cultural material. Only skeletal elements corresponding to the axial skeleton, one clavicle, two metacarpals, and the fibulae remained articulated in situ. Age and sex estimates suggest that it is a young adult female individual, and radiocarbon dating indicated an age of 594 ± 26 years BP. A series of pathological signs were recorded in the vertebral spine, one of them identified as sagittal cleft. Taphonomic evaluation of the skeleton indicated low representation of the anatomical units, with high fragmentation, and different alterations of the cortical surface. We interpret that the preservation of the bone assemblage resulted from the natural and partial exhumation of the skeletal remains and, consequently, their exposure to the biostratinomic agents specific to this geo-environmental context. In the upper Negro River valley, these are the first remains excavated by a scientific research team, which contrasts with what is expected for a region with high levels of current human occupation.