Los usos coloniales de la madera: primeros resultados arqueobotánicos del sitio “Cancha de Pelota Llao Llao” (Río Negro, Argentina)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the modalities of acquisition and use of wood plant resources in colonial contexts. To this end, we analysed fragments of carbonized and non-carbonized wood from the archaeological site of “Cancha de Pelota Llao Llao” (province of Río Negro, Argentina). This site was excavated from 1970 to 2006, besides the evidence of colonial occupation, it must be evaluated within the background of the long-standing indigenous presence in the Nahuel Huapi region. The archaeobotanical analysis carried out observed differences in the management of wood plant resources. The results obtained show the selection of the same wood arboreal plant species, used only for posts of the constructions while use of wood shrub species is almost exclusive as fuel. Thus, the specific analysis on this resource, promoted discussing the types of strategies used in the colonial occupation of Nahuel Huapi in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.