Archaeologists study the traces of the first settlers of Patagonia According to the hypothesis, the region has been inhabited for 12 thousand years.

2023-09-26 02:31:13

A team of archeology from the Department of Natural Sciences and Museum of the National University of La Plata and Conicet has been working for three years in the fields in the city of La María, located in the south of the central plateau of Santa Cruz. Under the guidance of the researcher Rafael Paunero, they found a record of twelve thousand years of human activity with lithic technology (stone tools with different rocks and minerals), the remains of hearths and cave paintings rock.

“Our studies show that nomadic societies live in this area and move in a planned manner within socially defined areas.. Their daily social activities include work, play, collecting resources, and choosing camp sites. They also drew pictures, made clothes and tools,” said the archaeologist. Catalina Davis Box.

In this way, The societies living there know their surroundings intimately and establish close links with the landscapes, animals, plants and minerals.. According to the evidence found, these inhabitants hunted guanacos, choiques and foxes. They also collected plants and bird eggs, and they used rocks and paint.

On their part, the artifacts found in the archives show that They have specific knowledge, skills and techniques that allow them to make tools from stone, bone and wood.. In addition, pigments are used to decorate, paint walls, rugs, clothes and body.

“Sometimes people think that cave paintings fulfill a decorative function, but In these caves we believe that these inhabitants left messages of all kinds. Clear pictures of animals and hunting scenes that can indicate how they get food. The equipment or the distance of the prey from the hunter is well considered,” he explained. Raúl González Duboxarchaeologist from the same working group.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, these studies allow us to account for the historical process of more than 12 thousand years in the Province.

Fire, stone and paint

Both from the archaeological record and from the study of traveler’s accounts, it is known that Different areas use light with social, symbolic and technical functions. In Patagonia, people have maintained this way of organizing life for several thousand years, although in different periods this is said differently.

For example, in one of the new studies carried out in the Cueva del Nido site -located in Santa Cruz-, scientists show how this site has been moved repeatedly. There they made their stone tools and found many cave paintings.

Also, in some caves there are many high-quality images of the hands of children and adults that can be used as traffic signs. “We understand that these are messages intended to spread a feeling of trust in relation to the safety of the place to live.“, explains González Dubox.

Many archaeologies

Every September 18 in Argentina, Archeology Day is celebrated in tribute to the birth of Florentino Ameghino, one of the most important Argentine archaeologists of the late 19th century. “Far from being a dress codepresent a variety of viewpoints and methods. The different ways of life adopted by primitive societies and the great extension of the country’s territory require many archaeological studies,” the researcher pointed out.

And he continued: “In our case, through research, excavation and research of rock art sites, We seek to recover material evidence that allows us to investigate the social structure and daily life of the people who live in Patagonia.. We focus on their links with animals and plants, the ways they eat, the technologies they develop and the ways they communicate. “