Before Farming: the archaeology and anthropology of hunter-gatherers

ref: Before Farming 2010/2 article 1

Determining the behavioural profile of early modern humans: assimilating population dynamics and cognitive abilities

Derek Hodgson
Department of Archaeology, University of York, Kings Manor, York, Y01 7EP
dehogson@googlemail.com

Keywords: Population, cognition, early modern humans, ethnography, culture

Abstract

It has been assumed that the most productive approach for gauging when modern human behaviour emerged consists of considering when particular artefacts appeared in the archaeological record from which inferences can then be made as to the cognitive profile of those responsible. As a result, the florescence of artefacts that appeared approximately 40,000 BP is regarded as evidence of an important neuro-cognitive event. As anatomical modern humans are thought to have appeared around 200,000-180,000 BP an alternative approach suggests that this florescence can be explained by demographic factors thus discounting the need for cognitive explanations. Although the two approaches explain the timing of events in radically different ways, there nevertheless appears to be some scope for assimilation, especially in relation to the flexibility inherent to neuro-cognitive factors when these are associated with the ability to engage in informed imitation in relation to socio-cultural criteria typical of Homo sapiens. This paper will therefore demonstrate how such assimilation can be realised as well as the implications arising thereby.

ref: Before Farming 2010/2 article 2

A guanaco kill site in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Fernando Santiago
Laboratorio de Geomorfología y Geología del Cuaternario
CADIC-CONICET, (9410) Ushuaia, Argentina
ersant2@gmail.com

Mónica Salemme
Laboratorio de Geomorfología y Cuaternario CADIC-CONICET and
Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, (9410) Ushuaia, Argentina
msalemme@cadic-conicet.gob.ar

Keywords: Guanaco, kill site, hunter-gatherers, Late Holocene, Fuegian steppe

Abstract

The site of Las Vueltas 1 (LV1) is located in the Fuegian steppe, on a strip of land between two lakes that are surrounded by low hills built on Tertiary sediments. The surface record of LV1 comprises more than two thousand bones deposited over 600 square metres, with 91 percent of the bones belonging to a single species (guanaco, Lama guanicoe). Several frames of reference were used to analyse the faunal assemblage: quantitative analysis, age and sex profiles, natural and anthropic modifications, taphonomic approaches, and a review of ethnographic sources. The characteristics of the assemblage, its environmental setting, and radiocarbon dates lead us to interpret this site as a Late Holocene guanaco mass kill site in the Fuegian steppe. The LV1 mass kill site is the first one found in Fuego-Patagonia. It provides a better understanding of hunter-gatherer social and economic behaviour in the late Holocene and stimulates discussion of the different strategies used to hunt guanacos in Patagonia.

ref: Before Farming 2010/2 article 3

Exploitation of bird resources among prehistoric sea-nomad societies of the Beagle Channel region, southern South America

Angelica Montserrat Tivoli
Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas - CADIC-CONICET
Bernardo Houssay 200 (V9410CAB) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
amtivoli@cadic-conicet.gob.ar

Keywords: Southern South America, Beagle Channel region, hunter-gatherer-fisher societies, bird consumption

Abstract

The relationship between birds and prehistoric hunter-gatherer-fishers of the Beagle Channel region is analysed here. In this sense, the main goal of this paper is to characterise the utilisation of birds by these sea-nomad societies, and to explore changes and continuities of that relationship in early and recent periods of occupation. Data from eleven zooarchaeological assemblages divided into two periods are included in the analysis for comparative purposes. Results show that the late period (circa 1500-100 years BP) was characterised by an important increase in bird exploitation in comparison with earlier times (circa 6000-4000 years BP), and by changes in taxa selection. Consequently, these trends suggest changes in bird use patterns in the later periods, mostly characterised by massive captures of birds with high relative return rates (for example cormorants), and captures of taxa that usually have pelagic habits.