Paleoambiente y ocupación prehistórica del litoral extremo sur del Perú: las ocupaciones del Arcaico en la Quebrada de los Burros y alrededores (Tacna, Perú)

Abstract

Paleoenvironment and Prehistoric Occupation on the Peruvian Southernmost Coast: The Archaic Period Occupations at Quebrada de los Burros and its Surroundings (Tacna, Perú)

The archaic fishermen and gatherers campsite at Quebrada de los Burros (Tacna, Perú) was occupied between ca. 9400 and 4000 BP. The occupations took place during a calm and wet climatic phase. Horizontal excavations revealed several living-floor features (hearths, postholes, specialized activity areas), abundant lithic material and important accumulations of food waste (shells, fish, crabs, urchins and a few terrestrial faunal remains). These remains demonstrate that the inhabitants relied heavily on ocean resources complemented by terrestrial hunting. Lithic tools and bone instruments indicate diversified and sophisticated fishing and foraging techniques.