Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic analyses and gas chromatography in archaeological pottery of the Northeast of Chubut Province (Argentinian Patagonia)

Abstract

The archaeological record of the Northeastern Chubut Province (marine coast and the lower Chubut River valley) indicates that the area have been occupied since at least seven thousand years ago by hunters-gatherers who exploited the marine coast, the valley and the arid terrestrial environment. During those millenia the diet was ample and mixed (terrestrial-marine), in accordance with paleoclimatic and resource seasonal variations, as well as with historical circumstances since the European invasion. Ceramic technology was adopted circa 1500-1000, probably due to a plant intensification process. In order to contrast this hypothesis, we present the results of 13C and 15N stable isotope studies and gaseous chromatography analyses on organic residues in ceramic samples from different sites of the study area. We also compare and discuss this data with archaeofaunal, technological and bioarchaelogical information.