Chronology of the Human Occupation of the North-western Channels of Patagonia (43°-46° S), Chile

Summary

We present results of a systematic radiocarbon dating program carried out in the Chonos archipelago, the northernmost part of the channels of western Patagonia. Eighty-six samples obtained from a variety of archaeological sites, including: strata beneath organic soils, open-air shell middens, caves and rock shelters, individual burials and ossuaries, and modern industrial extraction shell middens, were analyzed. The chronological and spatial distribution of dates along with the analyzed contexts, allows us understanding occupation of this archipelagic territory by marine hunter-gatherer-fishers at different scales. We evaluated the intensity of the archaeological signature starting with the first evidence of occupation at the Middle Holocene (6300 cal BP), to the European contact (16th century) and post contact. We recorded continuities and discontinuities in the use of space, discernible in time and throughout the archipelagic geography. These are used to discuss the human trajectories. FONDECYT Grant # 1170726.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

Keywords

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 21611