Macroregional Geoarchaeology: a methodological proposal

Abstract

In this paper we present a methodological proposal of geoarchaeological nature, at a macro-regional scale in the territory of the province of San Luis (Argentina). We seek to establish hypotheses about the properties that the potential archaeological record would have in the provincial territory, from the analysis of the represented landscape units, the geomorphological balance in them and the recent anthropic impacts. The methodological proposal combines the use of bibliographic information and geomorphological maps with the soil charts of the province. Due to the initial nature of this research, this article presents the geomorphological and pedological characteristics of two selected units in the province: the Eastern Depression and the Sierra de San Luis. Next, hypotheses are derived about the potential properties of the archaeological record in the subunits identified within them. Subsequently, in order to evaluate these hypotheses, the study of the stratigraphic profiles is carried out in two similar localities in these subunits: El Morro (in the Eastern Depression) and Casa Pintada del Sololosta (in the Sierra de San Luis). This investigation allowed us to evaluate some initial hypotheses regarding the geomorphological context in which the potential archaeological record is located and the properties that these materials will have in different areas of the province (especially in contexts of slopes, high plains and foothills plain). In addition, it made it possible to propose loci of possible concentration of archaeological materials either for anthropic (i.e. potentially attractive places for human occupation) or natural reasons (e.g. accumulation processes on slopes). Likewise, we observe that this methodology saves time invested in research and it results as a source of data for archaeological impact assessment. Finally, we make a recommendation regarding the use of soil charts as a data source that we consider to be very useful for evaluating recent geomorphic processes on broad scales.