
Lautaro NúñezUniversidad Católica del Norte (Chile) · Institute of Archaeological Research and Museum (IAM)
Lautaro Núñez
Doctor in Anthropology
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Publications (112)
High-altitude wetlands (HAWs) are important aquatic ecosystems located more than 3000 m a.s.l. in the Andean Altiplano–Puna plateau that include springs, meadows, peatlands, saline lakes, and salt flats. This region experiences arid climate conditions with high evaporation rates, extreme daily and annual thermal variations, intense winds, and excep...
This article presents an analysis of the functional design of a collection of 346 projectile points from archaeological sites in the Puna de Atacama (21.9 ◦–24.7 ◦ S) that belong to the cultural sequence dating from 12,500–2400 yr BP, which ranges from the earliest groups to inhabit the area to the emergence of the first agro- pastoralist societies...
Since ancient times Andean societies have formed an intimate relationship with volcanoes, the beginnings of which can be traced right back to the initial peopling of the region. By studying rocks used for stone tools and other everyday artifacts, we explore the volcanic landscapes of early hunter-gatherer groups (11,500–9,500 cal BP) of the highlan...
Se discuten las estrategias adaptativas de los humanos que poblaron las tierras altas del sureste del desierto de Atacama en el centro-sur andino (21-24,5°S), del norte de Chile, durante la transición Pleistoceno-Holoceno (12,600-10,200 cal. AP). Se comparan los paleoambientes, conjuntos líticos, óseos y uso del espacio desde los sitios TUI-1 y 5,...
In the pre-Columbian Andes, ceremonial centres were places for large-scale periodic celebrations that facilitated interaction and the reproduction of social life; however, little is known about their role and emergence in early periods. In order to explore the nature and scale of social aggregations, we study the circulation of obsidian artefacts f...
We present the results of the stable isotope analyses (δ13Ccol, δ15Ncol, δ13Capa, and δ18Oapa) carried out on the camelid bone remains from sites at Puripica, Tulán, and Salar de Punta Negra (Antofagasta Region, Chile), within a sequence that spans from the Early Archaic to the Early Formative. This information is discussed together with osteometri...
The study of South American camelids and their domestication is a highly debated topic in zooarchaeology. Identifying the domestic species (alpaca and llama) in archaeological sites based solely on morphological data is challenging due to their similarity with respect to their wild ancestors. Using genetic methods also presents challenges due to th...
The earliest known population of the Atacama Desert coincided with the Central Andean Pluvial Event II (CAPE II), an extensive pluvial event recorded during the Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene (13,800–8,500 cal years BP). A large number of archaeological sites from this period have been found along the borders of the Imilac and Punta Negra (24.5°S)...
En este trabajo se analiza la composición isotópica del carbono y nitrógeno en colágeno de muestras óseas de camélidos arqueológicos distribuidos en zonas áridas de la vertiente Pacífica y Atlántica de la Puna de Atacama. Nuestros objetivos son: (1) analizar los valores isotópicos considerando variables ambientales y trayectorias culturales, (2) ev...
Several archaeological sites located in caves and rock shelters in the highlands of the Central Atacama Desert reflect the late-Pleistocene peopling of the area (13,000-11,500 yr cal BP). Based on study of the lithic technology and other complementary data, we suggest that they were used as hunting stations and transient camps, mostly intended for...
In this article, the contents of the niche-chambers situated within the perimeter wall of the Early Formative temple Tulán-54, located in the south-east of the Circumpuna Atacameña, are described and analyzed. The identification of animal bones, remains of lithic debris, of copper ore and ceramic fragments, as well as the burial of an adult, a meta...
It has often been assumed that a link exists between climate change and human dispersion during the initial peopling of the Atacama Desert. However, there is little understanding of how hunter-gatherers acquired and processed environmental information. We examine paleoenvironmental and archaeological data to propose that the early peopling of the h...
En el sitio Tulán-54 (3360-2950 a 2410-2370 cal. A.P.) se encuentra una gran estructura semisubterránea, delimitada por un muro perimetral construido a partir de grandes bloques líticos los que fueron dispuestos sobre el piso socavado. Entre los bloques se dejaron cámaras liberadas o nichos entre dos jambas que sostienen dinteles como parte del mur...
This paper examines discarding practices at the Early Formative site of Tulán-54 (3360-2950 cal BP to 2410-2370 cal BP, located at the southeastern edge of the Salar de Atacama Basin (Northern Chile). A sunken temple structure identifi ed at the centre of a refuse mound found on site contained 27 human infant graves accompanied by offerings, rock a...
Se describen y analizan los contenidos de los nichos-cámaras incluidos en el muro perimetral del templete Formativo Temprano Tulán-54, ubicado al sureste de la circumpuna atacameña. La identificación mayormente en su gran mayoría de restos óseos de animales, desechos líticos, mineral de cobre, fragmentos cerámicos, la inhumación de un adulto y la o...
In this article, the contents of the niche-chambers situated within the perimeter wall of the Early Formative temple Tulán-54, located in the south-east of the Circumpuna Atacameña, are described and analyzed. The identification of animal bones, remains of lithic debris, of copper ore and ceramic fragments, as well as the burial of an adult, a meta...
Abst ract / Zusa m men fassu ng This paper examines discarding practices at the Early Formative site of Tulán-54 (3360-2950 cal BP to 2410-2370 cal BP, located at the southeastern edge of the Salar de Atacama Basin (Northern Chile). A sunken temple structure identifi ed at the centre of a refuse mound found on site contained 27 human infant graves...
In this work, we use taphonomic and technological analyses as a basis for study of the spatial and temporal variability of six lithic assemblages from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition (12,600 e11,000 cal BP), recovered in the Imilac and Punta Negra basins (3000 m. a.s.l.), Atacama Desert (24.5 S). During the initial peopling of this area, the li...
This paper presents an interdisciplinary study of the Miscanti-1 archaeological site, located in the Holocene terrace deposits accumulated on the eastern margin of Miscanti Lake (4120 m.a.s.l.), northern Chile (23.7� S, 67.7� W). The human response to environmental and climatic variability in the MidHolocene (9500-4500 cal yr BP) is discussed throu...
This paper presents an interdisciplinary study of the Miscanti-1 archaeological site, located in the Holocene terrace deposits accumulated on the eastern margin of Miscanti Lake (4120 m.a.s.l.), northern Chile (23.7� S, 67.7� W). The human response to environmental and climatic variability in the MidHolocene
(9500-4500 cal yr BP) is discussed throu...
http://atlasarqueologico.cl
Atlas Arqueológico para niños: conociendo a los antiguos habitantes de mi región”, se denomina el libro que el Instituto de Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Museo (IIAM) ha publicado para contar la historia de la Región de Antofagasta desde sus primeros habitantes hasta el presente. Fue el producto de un Proyecto Explora-...
TecnologÍa lítica del pleistoceno final y la colonizaciÓn del salar de punta negra (24,5º S), desierto de atacama Resumen SPN-1 y SPN-6 son dos contextos arqueológicos ubicados en el margen noreste del salar de Punta Negra (24,5º S, 3.000 msnm), que marcan un primer pulso de ocupación humana en la puna del Desierto de Ata-cama meridional (12.600-10...
Unique among its kind in the Atacama Desert, the temple of Tulán-54 is a key archaeological site of the Early Formative period. Evidence of ceremonies and ritual activities, such as feasts and offerings, demonstrates that Tulán-54 was the scene of important cultural and economic transformation, from hunter-gatherers to early pastoralist communities...
Archaeological evidence of the Tulán-54 site is discussed with a special emphasis on the central temple. Situated in the Tulán transect, which stretches over 15 km southeast of the Salar de Atacama basin, this site is part of a system of three large synchronous Early Formative settlements (3450 to 2370 BP cal.). Each settlement presents different f...
había una ceremonia de clausura, luego de que una delgada capa de relleno de montículo o arena fuera dispuesta sobre el piso, se procedía a sellar esta superficie, quemando madera y paja (Hastorf 2008a:9). En el presente trabajo se discuten las evidencias del sitio Tulán-54 con especial énfasis en el templete central. Este sitio es parte de un sist...
Excavations at the Tulán-54 site (TU-54), located at the southeast of Salar de Atacama, have allowed
the identification of occupations characteristic of the Tilocalar Phase, in the Early Formative period (3,100-
2,400 BP). Architectural and contextual evidence showed a combination of ritual elements, including a
small central temple, infant burials...
Reconocimieto a la obra de Oscar Espoueys en el contexto del desarrollo de la arqueología científca en Arica y su relación con la historia andina
This paper presents the results of isotope analysis (δ13C y δ15N) conducted on bone collagen found in Lama guanicoe and Lama glama remains from Tulán-85 and Tulán-54 archaeological sites. Both sites have been dated to the Early Formative Period (ca. 3,100-2,400 BP) and are located southeast of the Atacama Puna basin. Faunal samples were selected us...
This paper briefly summarizes presearch concerning the mid-Holocene in the western slope of the puna de Atacama (20-25 degrees S). Proxy data and dates from palynological, limnological, geomorphological archives were compared with data recovered from the archaeological sites in high altitude basins, intermediate ravines and piemontane paleowetlands...
Pollen analysis from a stratigraphic column that represents the entire temporal occupation of the Early Formative Tulán-85 site is presented. The site is located at the southeast border of the Salar de Atacama, and dates to between 1,530-1,260 to 460-420 cal BC. By using a comparison with modern pollen we were able to differentiate three altitudina...
En el presente artículo se discute la información faunística y contextual de cuatro sitios arqueológicos (Tagua Tagua 1, Tagua Tagua 2, Quebrada Santa Julia y Valiente) correspondientes al Pleistoceno Final del centro-norte de Chile (31° a 35° S). Se sintetizan los datos referentes a la taxonomía disponible, partes anatómicas representadas, evidenc...
La identificación de un manuscrito del siglo XVII que contiene declaraciones sobre procesos de extirpación de idolatrías en los pueblos de Lasana, Caspana y Ayquina, en el río Loa Medio y Superior (Subárea Circumpuneña, II región, Chile), ha permitido analizar algunos ritos agrarios que se consideran de origen prehispánico. Un examen interdisciplin...
A manuscript from the 17th century related to the extirpation of idolatry in the villages of Lasana, Caspana and Ayquina, located in de Upper Loa river (Circumpuna subarea), was found and analyzed. In this text some agrarian rituals of prehispanic origin were identified, and studied from an interdisciplinary perspective that considers archaeologica...
This article synthesizes the sociocultural and economy processes of archaic coastal and Andean societies that occupied the circumpuna and the Western Valleys regions, within the South Central Andes. We emphases on the late archaic events, the evidence of inter regional interaction, and the development of high complex responses that would have marke...
This article synthesizes the sociocultural and economy processes of archaic coastal and Andean societies that occupied the circumpuna and the Western Valleys regions, within the South Central Andes. We emphases on the late archaic events, the evidence of inter regional interaction, and the development of high complex responses that would have marke...
This paper presents a chronological sequence of human occupation from the end of the Pleistocene to the present day in the Atacama Desert, one of the most barren territories of the New World. The occupational sequence covers a period of 11,000 years of prehistory, in which distinct patterns of resource use are examined such as hunting, fishing and...
This paper presents a chronological sequence of human occupation from the end of the Pleistocene to the present day in the Atacama Desert one of the most barren territories of the New World The occupational sequence covers a period of 11 000 years of prehistory in which distinct patterns of resource use are examined such as hunting fishing and gath...
This paper presents a chronological sequence of human occupation from the end of the Pleistocene to the present day in the Atacama Desert, one of the most barren territories of the New World. The occupational sequence covers a period of 11,000 years of prehistory, in which distinct patterns of resource use are examined such as hunting, fishing and...
Evidencias de artefactos, ecofactos y vegetales provenientes de depósitos habitacionales y ceremoniales de asentamientos aldeanos del Formativo Temprano (1500 ¿ 400 a. C.), correspondientes a la fase Tarajne y Tilocalar, indican que en las quebradas de la vertiente occidental de la Puna de Atacama (2500 ¿ 3500 m s. m.) se mantuvieron las prácticas...
Artifact, ecofact and vegetal evidences recuperated from domestic and ceremonial deposits on village establishments of Early Formative (1500 - 400 b. C.), corresponding to the Tilocalar and Tarajne Phase, indicates that in gorges of the western slope of the Puna de Atacama (2500 - 3500 m) hunting practices were maintained in tandem with the consoli...
The South Central Andes host a wide range of different habitats from Pacific coastal areas up to extremely harsh cold and dry environments of the high mountain plateau, the altiplano or the puna. Marine resources in habitats along the cold Humboldt current are abundant and very stable through time, whereas terrestrial vegetation, animal, and water...
Archaeofaunal records from the Early Archaic to the Early Formative sites (11000-2400 BP) on the western slope of the Puna de Atacama region (22ºS- 24ºS) were analysed in order to understand the process of camelid domestication. The remains were recovered from rock shelters and open sites reflecting an extended occupational sequence, starting with...
Resumen
Excavaciones en las tierras altas del occidente de la Puna de Atacama han identificado una estructura templaria datada entre los 2630 ± 60 a 2490 ± 80 a.P. (no calibradas) en el centro de un montículo ocupacional estratificado, inserta en un asentamiento aldeano pastoralista. La arquitectura monumental registrada en el sitio Tulán-54, perte...
This essay reports on the excavation of a temple structure found in a stratified mound in the western highlands of the Alacama Puna. The structure is at the center of a pastoral settlement dating to between 2630 ± 60 and 2490 ± 80 B.P. (uncalibraled). The monumental architecture, recorded at the Tulán-54 site, belongs to the Tilocalar phase (3030 ±...
This essay reports oil the excavation of a temple structure found in a stratified mound in the western highlands of the Atacama Puna. The structure is at the center of a pastoral settlement dating to between 2630 +/- 60 and 2490 +/- 80 B.P (uncalibrated). The monumental architecture, recorded at the Tulan-54 site, belongs to the Tilocalar phase (30...
A summary of results of multidisciplinary research aimed to the understanding of the transition between late archaic (ca. 5000-3800 BP) to early formative societies (ca. 3500-2400 BP), is presented. We suggest that the location of archaic and formative settlements in the ecorefuge of Quebrada Tulan are explained by a favorable cultural, social and...