Formation Processes of Late Pleistocene Archaeological Sites in the Atacama Desert

Summary

This is an abstract from the "From Middens to Museums: Papers in Honor of Julie K. Stein" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

We investigated site formation and modification of surficial and shallow Paleoindian sites (ca. 13-11 cal. ka) located in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert. Sites occur primarily on inactive Pleistocene to Pliocene alluvial terraces, in and beneath desert pavements, a sparsely studied context for archaeological sites. Our research reveals that desert pavements in the region are poorly developed: clast densities in pavements average ~30% and clast size averages 5-7 mm, independent of surface age. This is far less than densities >70% in mature pavements in other deserts. Differences between terraces of different ages are seen, however, in clast color and the progressive loss of bar and swale topography. Subsurface disturbance of vesicular and gypsic horizons by late Pleistocene human activity is extensive and slow to "heal". The highest density of archaeological materials, particularly lithic artifacts, is on the surface, indicating that larger and heavier artifacts are being pushed upwards, possibly due to earthquakes, whereas lighter materials such as microflakes, plus features such as posts and fireplaces remained in situ. We believe that the uniquely arid and salt-rich conditions of the Atacama slow and inhibit the process of both pavement formation and healing.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)   •
• From Middens to Museums: Papers in Honor of Julie K. Stein

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 23155