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This paper explores how significant are the ecological and climatic variables to influence the stable isotopes of guanacos. Lama guanicoe bone collagen carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios are assumed as a macro regional average value in west Argentina, mostly as a baseline to model archaeological human diet. If stable isotopes on mammals reflex ecology and climate, we need to know how those variables influence mammals bone stable isotope ratio. This paper analyses the 13C/12C and 15 N/14N ratio on bone collagen on 122 guanacos from Northwest Patagonia during the Holocene. The results confirm significant variation in both isotopes between Monte and Andean-Patagonian specimens. Guanacos from Monte shows higher δ13C and δ15N than those from Andean-Patagonian. Temporal trends indicate variation through Holocene but this variation is not spatially homogeneous. In this paper we suggest that Medieval Climatic Anomaly had stronger effect in Monte desert than in Patagonia desert, generating driest and/or hottest conditions between 1250 and 600 years BP. Those variations need to be considered to reconstruct human diet at least during the second part of the Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Tandilia range is a discontinuous series of hills and valleys located at the central area of the Pampean region (Argentina). The process of human settlement reached in this zone the highest population densities and reoccupation levels of Southern South America, developing under the strongly changing climatic conditions that characterized the Pleistocene–Holocene transition. This paper analyzes the geoarchaeological and paleoenvironmental record of the Pleistocene–Holocene transition (c. 9400–10,500 14C BP) recovered from cave and rockshelter sedimentary successions of the Tandilia range. The analysis of several lines of evidence (stratigraphic, geoarchaeological, archaeological, zooarchaeological, and paleobotanical), suggests that a cold arid to semi-arid climate characterized the late Pleistocene (c. 10,500 BP), and changed abruptly to warmer conditions towards the beginning of the Post-Glacial Period. As a consequence of this climatic amelioration, the populations inhabiting the Tandilia range would have been benefited by a higher availability of resources, which could explain the higher levels of site density and reoccupation found in the area during this period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper analyzes the spatial organization of two layers corresponding to the first half of the Middle Holocene from the Hornillos 2 rockshelter (Susques, Jujuy Province). Some important issues taken into account are the good preservation of the site and the sedimentary deposition processes which coincide with paleoclimate aspects. Correlation of different archaeological lines of evidence allows interpretation of the connection between several activity areas and their occupational intensity. There is a trash heap related to a short occupation period at the beginning of the Middle Holocene and a main zone of intense activity ca. 6200 yrs BP. These facts are in accordance with the archaeological expectations proposed for certain periods of the Middle Holocene. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The recently excavated Paso Otero 4 site is located within the Paso Otero archaeological locality (Necochea District, Pampean Region). The site is characterized by the presence of a great variety of archaeological materials and a rich and complex stratigraphic record which allows use of an interdisciplinary approach. The objective of this paper is to present the results of the geoarchaeological, palynological, phytolith, and diatom analyses in order to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental conditions for the final Late Pleistocene through Holocene. These lines of research allow inference of paleoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions on both local and regional scales. At the site, the Río Salado Member (Unit 2), where the archaeological deposit is buried, underwent sudden and fluctuating changes in water availability conditions, although the setting was basically characterized by calm depositional processes within and along the margins of interconnected lagoons. Paleoclimatic reconstructions indicate the existence of abrupt climatic changes throughout the sequence. Early Holocene human occupations took place under regionally temperate-warm climates while the end of the Middle Holocene witnessed cold and arid or cold temperate climates. In general terms, paleoenvironmental conditions inferred for Paso Otero 4 are in accordance with regional reconstructions proposed for the Pampas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The main goal of this paper is to highlight regional and temporal variation in the presence and exploitation of faunal resources during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene (ca. 12000–7000 uncalibrated 14CyrBP) in the Pampean region (Argentina, South America). The main issues discussed are a summary of archeological and zooarchaeological evidence (sites, location, chronology, lithic technology, faunal distribution and diversity, etc.) both on regional and areal scales. The topics included in order to characterize subsistence strategies are the climatic changes that operated on and influenced the species, differential species extinction and survival, exploited species diversity, procurement and processing techniques, and intensity of faunal exploitation. It is proposed that the Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene period is characterized by a generalized regional economy, as has also been recently proposed for North America. In general terms, a broad spectrum of resources would have been exploited by humans as suggested by the presence and diversity of consumed species. Given the fluctuating climatic conditions during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, a subsistence pattern composed of a broad diet would have been a suitable strategy to promote in unstable environments. Both taxonomic diversity and richness are greater when compared with the following time period (Middle Holocene), characterized by a specialized regional economy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]