Papers by José Manuel López
Quaternary Science Reviews, 2017
The taphonomic methodology for the study of small mammal fossil was based mainly on actualistic s... more The taphonomic methodology for the study of small mammal fossil was based mainly on actualistic studies of bones and teeth of insectivores (Soricidae, Talpidae, Erinaceidae) and rodents (Arvicolinae, Muridae) recovered from pellets of birds of prey and scats of carnivorous mammals from different places of North America, Europe and Africa. The digestive corrosion patterns on teeth of the South American rodents Sigmodontinae, Caviinae, Ctenomyidae and Abrocomidae, and the marsupials Monodelphini of central Argentina were observed. The comparison between the South American samples with the North American, African and European samples allowed us to establish similarities and differences in the digestive corrosion of the teeth. The main agreements have been recorded in the following groups: Arvicolinae with Caviinae and Abrocomidae; Murinae with Sigmodontinae; Soricidae, Talpidae and Erinaceidae with Monodelphini. However, the particular and simplified configuration of the molars of Ctenomyidae with thicker enamel and dentine exposed has promoted a new description of the categories of digestive corrosion. Likewise Muridae and Sigmodontinae molars, Ctenomyidae presents a delay in the appearance of signs of digestion with regard to other caviomorphs (Caviinae, Abrocomidae). This contribution may, therefore, be useful to know the origin of these South American faunas and the exact taphonomic agent that produced these assemblages. Finally, small mammal samples from an archaeopalaeontological site from Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina, were studied in order to apply the new methodology emerged from the recent samples.
Revista Española de Antropología Americana, 2016
RESUMEN En el siguiente trabajo presentamos un estudio multidimensional sobre la conceptualizació... more RESUMEN En el siguiente trabajo presentamos un estudio multidimensional sobre la conceptualización de los pueblos originarios que han constituido los medios de prensa escrita en Mendoza durante la primera década del siglo XX. Para llevarlo a cabo acudimos
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2023
Pumas are American top predators that commonly frequent places that may also be inhabited by huma... more Pumas are American top predators that commonly frequent places that may also be inhabited by humans. With the aim of contributing to the evaluation of the accumulating processes and agents of vertebrate remains of archaeological and paleontological sites, we analyzed a modern puma scat-derived vertebrate bone assemblage from an area of the central Monte Desert, one of the most arid regions of South America. We evaluated the taphonomic signature of vertebrate remains recovered in such scats without discriminating among the different types of fauna, which strengthens this taphonomic contribution. Despite the high availability of domestic and exotic fauna from livestock fields in the surroundings of the area, the assemblage was dominated by typical native small and medium-sized fauna from xeric environments of the Monte biome. The armadillo Zaedyus pichiy was the most frequent taxon, followed by the caviid rodents Microcavia maenas and Galea leucoblephara, and the Tinamidae Eudromia elegans. The most remarkable taphonomic signatures are high breakage; a high proportion and degree of elements with evidence of digestion; and a low number of tooth marks. We find a good proportion of identifiable specimens, considering the previous assumptions on the extreme destruction of felid scat-derived vertebrate bone assemblages. A first assessment was made of specimens little known from a regional taphonomic perspective, such as armadillo osteoderms or bird remains. The taphonomic analysis of this multi-taxa accumulation enables a solid evaluation of vertebrate bone assemblages from archaeological and paleontological sites.
Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 2022
This paper explores the relationships between population change and human diet after the adoption... more This paper explores the relationships between population change and human diet after the adoption of domesticated resources in northwest Mendoza, a subregion of central western Argentina (CWA). To estimate population, we used summed probability distributions of radiocarbon ages (RC-SPD). We used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values (ẟ13Cco, ẟ13Cca, and ẟ15N) obtained on human bone (collagen and carbonate) to reconstruct human diet. The population trend of late Pleistocene-Holocene hunter-gatherers changed its trajectory ca. 2300 cal years BP coincident with the adoption of domesticates. After this date, a significant increase in human population occurred. We observe population increases (“booms”) followed by notable drops (“busts”). Stable isotopes (ẟ13C) on human bone follow a similar trend, indicating an increased consumption of maize during the “boom” periods and a decreased consumption during the “bust” periods. Based on the association between estimated changes in human population and changes in human bone isotope values over the last 2300 cal years BP, we propose that levels of maize consumption emerge from human predator–prey and plant-herbivore interactions. The use of maize, thus, is not part of a social evolutionary stage, but, rather, an outcome of continuous social-ecological process in which maize use may increase or decrease over time.
Intersecciones en Antropología, 2021
En el presente estudio se amplía y discute la evidencia tafonómica sobre acumulaciones óseas y de... more En el presente estudio se amplía y discute la evidencia tafonómica sobre acumulaciones óseas y dentarias de micromamíferos generadas por la depredación la lechucita de las vizcacheras (Athene cunicularia), un potencial agente acumulador de restos de micromamíferos en sitios arqueológicos y paleontológicos sudamericanos. Se realiza un análisis tafonómico de dos conjuntos de egagrópilas recuperados en el desierto de Monte, en el Centro Occidente Argentino. La evaluación tafonómica consideró tres variables: abundancia relativa de elementos esqueletarios, patrones de fractura, y digestión. Roedores y marsupiales compusieron la dieta de A. cunicularia. Entre los resultados tafonómicos se destacan: alrededor del 50% de incisivos y elementos poscraneales digeridos (principalmente digestión ligera); elevada proporción de mandíbulas y elementos poscraneales completos; buena preservación/representación de elementos esqueletarios; mejor representación de elementos distales que proximales. Los resultados tafonómicos permiten localizar a A. cunicularia como un depredador entre las categorías 2-3 (modificador intermedio-moderado), ampliando la variabilidad de la información tafonómica para este depredador. Adicionalmente, se realizó un análisis taxonómico y dietario para explorar las implicancias ecológicas de dichos conjuntos. El cricétido Graomys griseoflavus fue la principal presa detectada en la dieta de A. cunicularia. Salinomys delicatus, un roedor cricétido amenazado y poco conocido, fue detectado en baja proporción.
Holochilus lagigliai) and regional extirpations (e.g., Cavia aperea, Lestodelphys halli, Octomys ... more Holochilus lagigliai) and regional extirpations (e.g., Cavia aperea, Lestodelphys halli, Octomys mimax, Reithrodon auritus), differences between past and present communities from northern and southern Mendoza also were detected. Thus for example, through the application of THI a slightly higher proportion of species associated with open areas of low vegetation coverage, was observed in modern assemblages than in those of the late Holocene. We identified areas lacking modern raptor pellet samples as well as other areas with inadequate information due to sample sizes.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2020
The present study analyses small mammal bone and tooth accumulations recovered in three open-air ... more The present study analyses small mammal bone and tooth accumulations recovered in three open-air archaeological sites from northern Mendoza (Argentina) in the central Monte Desert, one of the most arid rangelands of South America. The sites, with radiocarbon dates between ca. 2100 and 400 years BP, are located on the margins of a now-extinct swamp that formed a more widespread wetland environment in the past. In order to recognize the agents responsible for such bone and tooth accumulations, a taphonomic analysis was conducted evaluating relative abundances of skeletal elements, breakage patterns, digestive corrosion, signs of anthropic activity and post-depositional processes. The taphonomic analysis allowed the detection of owls and humans as the agents responsible for small mammal accumulations. On the one hand, the low proportion and degree of digested diagnostic elements, among other taphonomic processes, suggest owl pellet-derived small mammal assemblages. On the other hand, the thermo-altered elements detected, some showing a differential burning pattern, the abundance of large-sized and gregarious small mammals and the identification of cut-marks on a caviid femur shaft are possibly due to human exploitation/ consumption of small mammals.
Journal of Quaternary Science, 2020
The avian family of barn owls (Tytonidae, Strigiformes) is the most geographically widespread gro... more The avian family of barn owls (Tytonidae, Strigiformes) is the most geographically widespread group of owls in the world and one of the most common accumulators of small mammal bone and tooth remains recovered from archaeological and palaeontological sites. The present study analyses the taphonomic characteristics of modern barn owl pellet-derived small mammal bone and tooth accumulations at three roosting sites from the central Monte Desert, one of the most arid regions of South America. In order to identify the taphonomic signature of this predator in the formation of zooarchaeological and palaeontological accumulations, taxonomic structure, relative abundance of skeletal elements, bone and teeth breakage patterns, and digestion were evaluated. Taphonomic results locate the barn owl in modification category 1 (light modifier). Although the general taphonomic results obtained in the present study were similar to a common barn owl pattern, the three samples showed variability both among them and with other samples previously reported in different regions of the world. Very light digestion was detected on incisors, whereas the proportion of digestion on incisors was close to 20%. Cricetid and murid rodents as well as marsupials were detected. Salinomys delicatus, a scarcely known and endangered cricetid species, was recovered.
Geranoaetus melanoleucus (Accipitriformes) is one of the main accumulating agents of South Americ... more Geranoaetus melanoleucus (Accipitriformes) is one of the main accumulating agents of South American small mammal bone and tooth assemblages recovered from archaeological and palaeontological sites. The present study analyses the taphonomic features of small mammal bone and tooth remains recovered from inside the stomach of a young dead specimen of this diurnal avian raptor. High frequencies of digested elements were detected, which coincided with those reported for South American diurnal raptors. However, the high degree of completeness, of both cranial and postcranial bones, is surprising. This finding differs from the patterns reported in actualistic taphonomic studies using modern pellets of several diurnal raptors, including G. melanoleucus. The small mammal bones and teeth recovered from inside the stomach of G. melanoleucus constitute an excellent opportunity to discuss taphonomic trends previously reported for this important small mammal bone accumu-lator of archaeological and palaeontological sites from South America. This is particularly important considering that actualistic studies are generally based on remains recovered from modern pellets.
The present study analyzes zooarchaeological and palaeoenvironmental trends from an assemblage of... more The present study analyzes zooarchaeological and palaeoenvironmental trends from an assemblage of small mammals recovered from Agua de la Tinaja (AT), an archaeological site from an intermountain valley of the
Andean cordillera (northern Mendoza, Argentina). Small mammal remains recovered from AT, chronologically associated with 900–600 years BP, showed taphonomic traces corresponding to the action of owls and humans. Such results were included and compared within the framework of a resource intensification process suggested for Prehistoric human societies from northern Mendoza in Central Western Argentina. The small mammal assemblage from AT is composed by typical species from highland areas (Abrothrix andina, Microcavia australis, Phyllotis xanthopygus) mixed with some species from the Monte Desert (Calomys musculinus, Ctenomys sp., Eligmodontia sp., Thylamys pallidior) and Abrocoma sp. The co-occurrence of some species with modern allopatric distributions could support a scenario of greater environmental heterogeneity during the late Holocene than in
the present. A situation like this could be consistent with a more dense vegetation cover and larger availability of patch resources.
Latin American Antiquity, 2020
Se presentan los resultados del análisis de restos óseos y dentarios de micromamíferos (≤1 kg) re... more Se presentan los resultados del análisis de restos óseos y dentarios de micromamíferos (≤1 kg) recuperados en Vaquería Gruta 2 (VQG2), un sitio arqueológico localizado en el piedemonte alto de la precordillera de Mendoza (Argentina) con dataciones correspondientes al Holoceno tardío. Estos resultados se comparan con aquellos reportados para conjuntos óseos de micro-mamíferos cordilleranos del Centro-Occidente Argentino. Se realizó un análisis tafonómico para aproximarse a los posibles agentes acumuladores del conjunto óseo, sobre la base de abundancias relativas, patrones de fractura y digestión. Se anali-zaron variables orientadas a evaluar la actividad antrópica, tales como huellas de corte y termoalteraciones. Los resultados también se compararon con valores reportados en estudios tafonómicos actualísticos regionales para distintos depredadores. El análisis tafonómico permitió determinar que fueron aves rapaces los agentes responsables de la acumulación ósea recu-perada en VQG2. Esta misma fue producto, probablemente, de una acumulación mixta. Asimismo, se realizó un análisis de la composición taxonómica de VQG2. Tanto la presencia de especies extirpadas en el registro arqueológico (Reithrodon auritus) como la mayor diversidad y equitatividad en dicho registro, en comparación con los ensambles actuales de micromamíferos, permiten pensar en un escenario de mayor heterogeneidad ambiental durante el Holoceno tardío, con mayor disponibilidad de parches de recursos que en el presente. Palabras clave: zooarqueología, microvertebrados, tafonomía, heterogeneidad ambiental, Desierto de Monte, aleros rocosos, Cordillera de los Andes, Mendoza We present the results of the taphonomic and taxonomic analysis of small mammal (≤1 kg) bone and tooth remains recovered in Vaquería Gruta 2 (VQG2), an archaeological site located in the high piedmont of the Andean precordillera of Mendoza (Argentina). We compare these results with previously reported archaeological collections of small mammal bone and teeth from the Andean areas of Central Western Argentina. VQG2 is located in the Monte Desert, and according to radiocar-bon dates, was occupied within the late Holocene. With the aim of assessing possible accumulating agents of the bone ensemble , we conduct a taphonomic analysis based on the relative abundance of skeletal elements, fracture patterns, and evidence of digestion. This analysis also included variables to detect human activity, such as cut marks and thermal alterations. These results were compared with regional taphonomic studies of several contemporary predators. The taphonomic analysis indicated that avian raptors were the primary accumulating agents of the zooarchaeological record, although the collection likely resulted from multiple predators. We also evaluated the taxonomic composition of the assemblage. Both the presence of extir-pated species (Reithrodon auritus) in the archaeological record and the higher diversity and evenness of the sample in comparison to populations of modern small mammals in the study area indicate that the late Holocene exhibited a greater environmental heterogeneity and availability of patch resources than present times.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2019
The distinctive characteristic of the Monte Desert, the most arid rangeland of Argentina, is refl... more The distinctive characteristic of the Monte Desert, the most arid rangeland of Argentina, is reflected in the varied composition of its small mammal fauna. The present study analyses the taphonomic features and the palaeoenvironmental implications of small mammal bone and tooth accumulations recovered in open-air archaeological sites from the Monte Desert plains of northern Mendoza (Central Western Argentina) in the South American arid diagonal. In order to identify the agents responsible for such accumulations relative abundance trends, bone breakage patterns and digestive corrosion were evaluated. The action of postde-positional processes, like weathering and trampling, also were analysed. Taphonomic results allowed the detection of avian raptors-owls in particular-as the principal accumulating agents of small mammal bone and tooth accumulations of open-air archaeological sites from the Monte Desert. In order to make palaeoenvironmental inferences, the taxonomic structure of archaeological and modern small mammal assemblages was analysed and compared, added to the evaluation of taphonomic dynamics in the archaeological sites. The taxonomic composition of archaeological assemblages differed from that of the current assemblages from the study area. Thus, an extinct species (Holochilus lagigliai) and a little-known species highly adapted to desert environments (Tympanoctomys barrerae) were detected in the archaeological record. Recent pellet samples showed major proportions of opportunistic and generalist species as well as the presence of an exotic species (Mus musculus). The general impoverishment of current small mammal assemblages in comparison with past ones (e.g. richness, diversity and evenness) could be attributed to the deep impact of the anthropic perturbations generated by economic activities since the arrival of European conquerors ca. 500 years BP. Small mammal archaeological assemblages could indicate a scenario of greater environmental heterogeneity during the Late Holocene than in the present, and thus, greater availability of patch resources in the landscape.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2019
Central Western Argentina is an area archeologically defined as one of the southernmost limits of... more Central Western Argentina is an area archeologically defined as one of the southernmost limits of farming in the pre-Hispanic Americas. Optimal foraging models help to predict important changes in faunal use prior to the adoption of agriculture related to resource depression and environmental changes. This paper evaluates changes in pre-Hispanic human subsistence from a zooarchaeological perspective and explores archeological record trends from the northern area of Central Western Argentina. Using zooarchaeological information in Northern Mendoza (Central Western Argentina), trends related to the human exploitation of faunal resources were explored in connection with time and space. Two high-ranked resource indexes were calculated: the artiodactyl index and a high-ranked resources index. The results show a decrease in the dependence on high-ranked resources by human groups after ca. 2000 BP and an increase in richness, indicating a diet breath expansion. Long-term trends in the density of radiocarbon dates suggest a considerable population growth after ca. 2000 BP. These trends are consistent with the contemporary changes reported by other archaeological proxies in Northern Mendoza. The results of the zooarchaeological analysis confirm changes in human organization around 2000 years BP that reflect an intensification process.
The present study analyses the taphonomic features of recent small mammalbone and teeth accumulat... more The present study analyses the taphonomic features of recent small mammalbone and teeth accumulations recovered
from pellets generated by Strix chacoensis in a Natural Protected Area in the central Monte Desert of Mendoza,
Argentina. In order to identify the taphonomic signature of this predator in the formation of zooarchaeological and
palaeontological accumulations, taxonomic profiles, relative abundances, bone breakage patterns and digestive
corrosion were evaluated. Taphonomic results locate S. chacoensis in modification category 2 (intermediate).
Although the general taphonomic patterns detected in the present study were similar to a typical owl pattern, some
differences from that pattern were detected. This sample showed lesser relative abundances of skeletal elements,
greater loss of teeth and a larger number of incisors modified by digestion than those generated by other strigiforms.
The comparison with reported archaeological accumulations suggested that the small mammal remains recovered in
some sites fromthe Monte Desert may correspond to the predatory activity of S. chacoensis. The identification of the
action of S. chacoensis in archaeological and palaeontological small mammal bone and teeth accumulations is a
promising tool to evaluate the conservation status of native forests in the past
Results of the taphonomic analysis of small mammal bone accumulations generated by the accipitrif... more Results of the taphonomic analysis of small mammal bone accumulations generated by the accipitriforms Geranoaetus melanoleucus and Geranoaetus polyosoma in several areas from Central Western Argentina (Mendoza Province) are presented here. In order to identify the role that these predators had in the formation of zooarchaeological assemblages, the anatomical representation, bone breakage patterns,
and degrees of digestive corrosion were evaluated. According to these taphonomic variables, both G.
melanoleucus and G. polyosoma may be placed in the Category 4 (heavy) of modification of prey bones. The results presented here were used as an analytical model for the interpretation of the micromammal
fossil record from three archaeological sites in Mendoza Province. This comparison suggests that the skeletal remains recovered from one archaeological site are very close to those produced by G. polyosoma. However, accumulations from the other sites had intermediate values between those of G. polyosoma and G. melanoleucus.
The recently described cricetid Holochilus lagigliai is a poorly known amphibious rat to this day... more The recently described cricetid Holochilus lagigliai is a poorly known amphibious rat to this day restricted to its type locality in Mendoza Province, Argentina. Here, we provide and discuss several new late Holocene records enlarging its past distribution to cover the north portion of the province, indicating that this rodent was widespread in a recent past. We also performed a potential distribution analysis pointing to plausible areas of occurrence in neighboring provinces. Holochilus lagigliai seems to be a mammal negatively affected by the growing pressure of humans on wetlands in the context of drylands that characterizes western Argentina.
The taphonomic methodology for the study of small mammal fossil was based mainly on actualistic s... more The taphonomic methodology for the study of small mammal fossil was based mainly on actualistic studies of bones and teeth of insectivores (Soricidae, Talpidae, Erinaceidae) and rodents (Arvicolinae, Muridae) recovered from pellets of birds of prey and scats of carnivorous mammals from different places of North America, Europe and Africa. The digestive corrosion patterns on teeth of the South American rodents Sigmodontinae, Caviinae, Ctenomyidae and Abrocomidae, and the marsupials Monodelphini of central Argentina were observed. The comparison between the South American samples with the North American, African and European samples allowed us to establish similarities and differences in the digestive corrosion of the teeth. The main agreements have been recorded in the following groups: Arvicolinae with Caviinae and Abrocomidae; Murinae with Sigmodontinae; Soricidae, Talpidae and Erinaceidae with Monodelphini. However, the particular and simplified configuration of the molars of Ctenomyidae with thicker enamel and dentine exposed has promoted a new description of the categories of digestive corrosion. Likewise Muridae and Sigmodontinae molars, Ctenomyidae presents a delay in the appearance of signs of digestion with regard to other caviomorphs (Caviinae, Abrocomidae). This contribution may, therefore, be useful to know the origin of these South American faunas and the exact taphonomic agent that produced these assemblages. Finally, small mammal samples from an archaeopalaeontological site from Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina, were studied in order to apply the new methodology emerged from the recent samples.
The present study analysed the taphonomic characteristics of small mammal bone accumulations prod... more The present study analysed the taphonomic characteristics of small mammal bone accumulations produced by small felids in an area from the central Monte Desert (Mendoza, Argentina). In order to provide criteria to identify the role that these predators had in the formation of zooarchaeological assemblages, the anatomical representation , bone breakage patterns and degrees of digestive corrosion were evaluated. The main taphonomic results are: low average values for the relative abundance of skeletal elements; greater representation of mandibles, maxil-lae, isolated incisors, humeri and femora than the remaining elements; preponderance of cranial elements with high proportion of isolated teeth; elevated frequencies of proximal limb bones compared with distal parts; high degree of breakage in all skeletal elements and digestive corrosion on almost all diagnostic bones (mainly moderate and heavy). The values of the studied taphonomic variables indicate that small felids in this area made severe alterations to the bones of their prey (mainly rodents), attributable to the category of extreme modifier, while preserving enough skeletal elements to allow their taphonomic characterization. Tooth marks or grooves on bone surfaces produced by scratching and chewing were not detected. The low relative abundance of skeletal elements, the high degree of breakage and the elevated frequency of elements with digestion traces represent general tapho-nomic patterns that fall within those reported for other South American small carnivores.
En el siguiente trabajo presentamos un estudio multidimensional sobre la conceptualización de los... more En el siguiente trabajo presentamos un estudio multidimensional sobre la conceptualización de los pueblos originarios que han constituido los medios de prensa escrita en Mendoza durante la primera década del siglo XX. Para llevarlo a cabo acudimos al Archivo de Hemeroteca de la Biblioteca General San Martín de la Ciudad de Mendoza, teniendo como referencia al Diario Los Andes, principal periódico de la provincia, creado en 1882 y vigente en la actualidad. El objetivo del estudio es la identificación de las distintas formas de construcción conceptual sobre los pueblos etnográficos del actual territorio argentino que difundió dicho diario, y del modo en que dichos artículos periodísticos jugaron un rol activo en relación con el proceso de construcción de alteridad sociocultural y la legitimación de las políticas etnocidas implementadas por las clases dominantes.
We present the results of the extensive analysis on the taxonomic composition, the taphonomic cha... more We present the results of the extensive analysis on the taxonomic composition, the taphonomic characteristics, and the possible paleoenvironmental implications of the small mammal assemblages in two archaeological sites located in northwestern Mendoza, Argentina: Vaquería Gruta 1 and Rinc on de los Helados. Such sites have been radiocarbon dated for the Late Holocene. The taphonomic characteristics of these remains, which were accumulated in VQG1 and RH by raptor Strigiformes and Falconiformes birds respectively, were analyzed by means of digestive corrosion on the bones, breakage patterns and relative abundances. In order to evaluate the changes in the composition between past and current assemblages, zooarchaeological and current small mammal assemblages were compared. The taxonomic composition and abundance of small mammals in archaeological assemblages suggest the existence of greater environmental heterogeneity than the current during the Late Holocene, as would suggest the presence of Reithrodon auritus and Octomys mimax, currently extinct species in the region. The co-occurrence of these species currently with allopatric distributions, lead us to consider these archaeological sets as nonanalogue communities. In relation with the changes detected between past and current assemblages, some factors need to be considered. Among them, the relevance of the anthropic activities that have negatively affected the diversity, richness and abundance of flora and fauna since the XVI century, and the possible mixture of taxa due to the predation by owls in different altitudinal levels of vegetation.
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Papers by José Manuel López
Andean cordillera (northern Mendoza, Argentina). Small mammal remains recovered from AT, chronologically associated with 900–600 years BP, showed taphonomic traces corresponding to the action of owls and humans. Such results were included and compared within the framework of a resource intensification process suggested for Prehistoric human societies from northern Mendoza in Central Western Argentina. The small mammal assemblage from AT is composed by typical species from highland areas (Abrothrix andina, Microcavia australis, Phyllotis xanthopygus) mixed with some species from the Monte Desert (Calomys musculinus, Ctenomys sp., Eligmodontia sp., Thylamys pallidior) and Abrocoma sp. The co-occurrence of some species with modern allopatric distributions could support a scenario of greater environmental heterogeneity during the late Holocene than in
the present. A situation like this could be consistent with a more dense vegetation cover and larger availability of patch resources.
from pellets generated by Strix chacoensis in a Natural Protected Area in the central Monte Desert of Mendoza,
Argentina. In order to identify the taphonomic signature of this predator in the formation of zooarchaeological and
palaeontological accumulations, taxonomic profiles, relative abundances, bone breakage patterns and digestive
corrosion were evaluated. Taphonomic results locate S. chacoensis in modification category 2 (intermediate).
Although the general taphonomic patterns detected in the present study were similar to a typical owl pattern, some
differences from that pattern were detected. This sample showed lesser relative abundances of skeletal elements,
greater loss of teeth and a larger number of incisors modified by digestion than those generated by other strigiforms.
The comparison with reported archaeological accumulations suggested that the small mammal remains recovered in
some sites fromthe Monte Desert may correspond to the predatory activity of S. chacoensis. The identification of the
action of S. chacoensis in archaeological and palaeontological small mammal bone and teeth accumulations is a
promising tool to evaluate the conservation status of native forests in the past
and degrees of digestive corrosion were evaluated. According to these taphonomic variables, both G.
melanoleucus and G. polyosoma may be placed in the Category 4 (heavy) of modification of prey bones. The results presented here were used as an analytical model for the interpretation of the micromammal
fossil record from three archaeological sites in Mendoza Province. This comparison suggests that the skeletal remains recovered from one archaeological site are very close to those produced by G. polyosoma. However, accumulations from the other sites had intermediate values between those of G. polyosoma and G. melanoleucus.
Andean cordillera (northern Mendoza, Argentina). Small mammal remains recovered from AT, chronologically associated with 900–600 years BP, showed taphonomic traces corresponding to the action of owls and humans. Such results were included and compared within the framework of a resource intensification process suggested for Prehistoric human societies from northern Mendoza in Central Western Argentina. The small mammal assemblage from AT is composed by typical species from highland areas (Abrothrix andina, Microcavia australis, Phyllotis xanthopygus) mixed with some species from the Monte Desert (Calomys musculinus, Ctenomys sp., Eligmodontia sp., Thylamys pallidior) and Abrocoma sp. The co-occurrence of some species with modern allopatric distributions could support a scenario of greater environmental heterogeneity during the late Holocene than in
the present. A situation like this could be consistent with a more dense vegetation cover and larger availability of patch resources.
from pellets generated by Strix chacoensis in a Natural Protected Area in the central Monte Desert of Mendoza,
Argentina. In order to identify the taphonomic signature of this predator in the formation of zooarchaeological and
palaeontological accumulations, taxonomic profiles, relative abundances, bone breakage patterns and digestive
corrosion were evaluated. Taphonomic results locate S. chacoensis in modification category 2 (intermediate).
Although the general taphonomic patterns detected in the present study were similar to a typical owl pattern, some
differences from that pattern were detected. This sample showed lesser relative abundances of skeletal elements,
greater loss of teeth and a larger number of incisors modified by digestion than those generated by other strigiforms.
The comparison with reported archaeological accumulations suggested that the small mammal remains recovered in
some sites fromthe Monte Desert may correspond to the predatory activity of S. chacoensis. The identification of the
action of S. chacoensis in archaeological and palaeontological small mammal bone and teeth accumulations is a
promising tool to evaluate the conservation status of native forests in the past
and degrees of digestive corrosion were evaluated. According to these taphonomic variables, both G.
melanoleucus and G. polyosoma may be placed in the Category 4 (heavy) of modification of prey bones. The results presented here were used as an analytical model for the interpretation of the micromammal
fossil record from three archaeological sites in Mendoza Province. This comparison suggests that the skeletal remains recovered from one archaeological site are very close to those produced by G. polyosoma. However, accumulations from the other sites had intermediate values between those of G. polyosoma and G. melanoleucus.