Faro San Matías 50 años después: Ocupaciones humanas durante el Holoceno tardío (Nordpatagonia, Argentina)

Abstract

The evidence recovered in Faro San Matias archaeological site in the North Patagonian coast is discussed. This site is one of the best known in the literature, it was studied earlier by M. Bórmida. The radiocarbonic dating obtained, indicates an occupation range of about 1300 years during the Late Holocene. The zooarchaeological evidence recovered in the excavations of shell middens indicates the predominant use of marine resources, mollusks and mammals (seals and whales), some fish species and land vertebrates. Also, the study of surface scatters of stone artifacts, suggest an expedient tool making strategy with an emphasis on the exploitation of siliceous rocks and fine grained dark rocks, the latter very abundant and locally available. Also the extent and density of the surface record suggests that this space had been reoccupied over time. Finally, the importance of this site as a non renewable cultural resource and the need to mitigate the high human impact on the area is highlighting.