Extinct Fauna Processing During The Pleistocene-Holocene Transition In Northcentral Chile

Abstract

We discuss faunal and contextual information of four late Pleistocene archaeological sites (Tagua Tagua 1 and 2, Quebrada Santa Julia, and Valiente) of Central-North Chile (~31° to 35° S). We synthesize available taxonomy, anatomical parts represented, evidences of anthropogenic marks, taphonomic aspects, and associated contexts. This assessment shows the behavioral variability of bone assemblages with regards to site functions. We suggest that models of transport and discard of anatomical parts of large and medium-sized prey were seldom patterned and very variable among late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers in these latitudes of South America.