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Opportunistic use of tortoises (Chelonoidis chilensis) in a site of the
Chaco-Santiague~
na region (Province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina)
Luis M. del Papa
CONICET, C
atedra de Anatomía Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, calle 64 s/n entre 120 y diag. 113, La
Plata, Argentina
article info
Article history:
Available online 19 December 2015
Keywords:
Chelonoidis chilensis
Chaco-Santiague~
na archaeological region
Late agro-pottery context
Opportunistic use
abstract
Zooarchaeological analysis of the role of turtles as a resource for ancient inhabitants has been
approached in different regions of the world, within the Broad-Spectrum Revolution and paleodemog-
raphy frameworks and covering extensive periods of time. In the present work, the role of tortoises
(Chelonoidis chilensis) is discussed for the Beltr
an Onofre Banegas-Lami Hern
andez site from Chaco-
Santiague~
na archaeological region (Santiago del Estero Province, Argentina). This site corresponds to the
late agro-pottery stage. The proportion of used resources at the site was estimated and the ethnographic
work of the study region and surrounding areas were analyzed to discuss the importance of turtles in the
diet of ancient inhabitants. In accord with the results, C. chilensis was used opportunistically or
circumstantially, and could be more relevant during summer as an additional resource to lizards, Tupi-
nambis sp.
©2015 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
In recent years, zooarchaeological work in Argentina has seen
further development of minor fauna analysis (e.g. Bond et al., 1981;
Albino, 2001; Quintana et al., 2002; Acosta and Pafundi, 2005; del
Papa et al., 2010; Quintana and Mazzanti, 2010; Albino and
Franco, 2011; Fern
andez et al., 2011; Frontini and Escosteguy,
2011; Medina et al., 2011; Pardi~
nas et al., 2011; Escosteguy et al.,
2012; Fern
andez, 2012; Salemme et al., 2012 among others).
However, only data on consumption of tortoises for the Chaco-
Santiague~
na region (del Papa and De Santis, 2015) were recorded.
In other regions, there are some indications of their remains'
presence in archaeological sites with indirect evidence (e.g.
Lagiglia, 1974; Albino and Albino, 2004; Gil, 2005; Prates, 2008).
Lagiglia (1974) notes the presence of tortoises' remains in southern
Mendoza sites of cultural context Atuel II (260 BC). They might
correspond to plates (both bony and cornea portion) of Chelonoidis
donosobarrosi “partially burned”(Richard, 1999), although there is
no mention of the amount. For southern Mendoza, Gil (2005)
mentions the presence of remains assigned to Testudinidae in
low proportion for late Holocene sites. For the middle and lower
valley of the Rio Negro river tortoises' bony plates have been
recovered (Chelonoidis sp.) with evidence of combustion in Negro
Muerto and Angostura 1 sites from Late Holocene (ca. 500 and
950 BP, respectively) (Prates, 2008). Finally, in the Pampas region
turtles' remains of Hydromedusa have been recovered (cf. Hydro-
medusa sp., Salemme et al., 1985;Hydromedusa tectifera,Salemme,
1990).
For the agro-pottery period of the Chaco-Santiague~
na archaeo-
logical region (Santiago del Estero Province), with a timeline that
begins in 350 AD until the Spanish conquest, various authors note
the presence of tortoises' remains but without mentioning whether
they had evidence of anthropic consumption (Kraglievich and
Rusconi, 1931; Rusconi, 1934; Lorandi and Lovera, 1972; Cione
et al., 1979). Most of the sites analyzed by these authors are
located in the vicinity of the Salado River. Rusconi (1934) assigned
plastron plate remains of Testudo tabulata (a synonym of Chelo-
noidis denticulata, a species that does not inhabit the study area at
present) in Llajta Mauca site. Zetti and Tonni recorded remains of
Pleurodira (river turtle) on the site Quimili Paso (Lorandi and
Lovera, 1972), and Cione et al. (1979) assigned remains to Chelo-
nia indet in El Veinte site.
Research conducted in recent years in the region (Togo, 2004;
del Papa, 2012) shows that a few specimens of Chelonoidis chi-
lensis have been recovered in the Villa la Punta site with MNE ¼1,
Maquijata site with MNE ¼10 (both located in proximity to the
mountains of Guasay
an) and Media Flor site with an MNE ¼2
E-mail address: loesdelpapa@hotmail.com.
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Quaternary International
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/quaint
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.08.046
1040-6182/©2015 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.
Quaternary International 391 (2016) 74e81
(located in the basin of the Dulce river) (del Papa, 2012). Carapace
plates are predominant in these sites, and only in the Maquijata site
are endoskeleton elements (three vertebrae) represented; howev-
er, they do not show evidence of human activity (del Papa, 2012).
Moreover, for the Beltr
an Onofre Banegas-Lami Hern
andez site,
analysis of tortoises' remains was presented, showing anthropic
consumption (del Papa and De Santis, 2015).
Moreover, most zooarchaeological work on tortoises conducted
in different regions of the world (mainly from Spain, Italy, South
Africa, Israel, Colombia, Caribbean islands, North America, etc.) are
part of studies on diet amplitude, paleodemography, taphonomy,
environmental changes, taxonomy and other non-food uses (e.g.
Sampson, 1998, 2000; Klein and Cruz Uribe, 2000; Stiner et al.,
2000; Speth and Tchernov, 2002; Frazier, 2005; Stahl and Oyuela-
Caycedo, 2007; Blasco, 2008; Morales P
erez and Sanchis Serra,
2009; Blasco et al., 2011; Brown, 2011; Salazar Garcia et al., 2013;
Thompson and Henshilwood, 2014, among others). The researches
analyzed not only different regions, but also various cultural con-
texts and timelines (from the Early Pleistocene to historical mo-
ments and ethnographic studies).
Regarding the role of tortoises in the ancient inhabitants' diet,
most studies are based on a combination of the Diet Amplitude
model or Broad Spectrum Revolution with paleo-demographic in-
ferences. In this sense, the authors attempt to explain the changes
between the Middle Paleolithic and Upper Paleolithic in the Old
World and posit that from the end of the Middle Paleolithic the
Broad Spectrum Revolution spread (incorporation of low energy
return resources such as tortoises, among others) due to an increase
in both human population and hunting pressure level on resources,
so the size of tortoise individuals consumed decreases over time
(e.g. Klein and Cruz Uribe, 2000; Stiner et al., 2000; Stiner, 2001;
Speth and Chernov, 2002). As a result of the research goal, most
of the work done on Diet Amplitude models considers the role of
tortoises in relation to changes over time (they mainly take into
account broad time frames). Some sites from the early Pleistocene
of Africa and Spain suggest occasional tortoise consumption (Braun
et al., 2010; Blasco et al., 2011). In a previous paper (del Papa and De
Santis, 2015) through taphonomic analysis, anthropic consumption
of tortoises was inferred in the Beltran Onofre Banegas-Lami Her-
nandez (BOL) site. However, their role in the sites ancient in-
habitants' diet was not thoroughly discussed. The aim of this work
is to investigate the role of tortoises (Chelonoidis chilensis) in the
diet of the ancient inhabitants of the BOL archaeological site from
Chaco-Santiague~
na archaeological region, with a limited time
occupancy.
1.1. Study area, characterization of Beltr
an Onofre Banegas-Lami
Hernandez site
The Chaco-santiague~
na archaeological region (Fig. 1) corre-
sponds to the present Province of Santiago del Estero (Argentina),
which is characterized by a loessial and salty sedimentary plain that
is interrupted in its southern, west and northwest edges by the
mountains of Sumampa-Ambargasta, Guasay
an and Cerro del
Remate respectively (Basualdo et al., 1985). This region is part of the
semi-arid and continental subtropical part of the country, with
average temperatures for the study area of 20
C, annual rainfall
(concentrated in the summer period) which ranges from 500 to
600 mm, and a greater potential evapotranspiration capacity which
determines a water deficiency (Ledesma, 1979). Among the features
of the region is the lack of permanent water sources, which are
concentrated in the two main rivers, the Dulce and Salado, and
springs and wells near the mountains.
The Province of Santiago del Estero is located in the ecoregion of
Chaco Seco (Burkart et al., 1999), characterized by the presence of a
xeric semideciduous forest. Before the intervention of humans
through deforestation, it had a higher stratum dominated by red
quebracho (Schinopsis quebracho-colorado) and white quebracho
(Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco). Lower trees such as mistol
(Ziziphus mistol), a great variety of trees and shrubs, and a signifi-
cant presence of algarrobos (Prosopis sp.) can also be seen here
(Torrella and Ad
amoli, 2006). Faunal distribution is framed in the
Guayano-Brazile~
na subregion, Subtropical Estate, Chaque~
no Dis-
trict (Ringuelet, 1961).
Culturally, this region has been integrated into Argentina
northwest together with regions or sub-areas of Puna, Selvas
Occidentales, and Valliserrana (Gonz
alez, 1979). However, the
Chaco-santiague~
na region was less relevant to the archaeological
investigations than the Valliserrana, mainly due to the absence of
monuments or stone constructions, and the relatively “less devel-
oped”pottery style of the first, traits that were extensively studied
in the second region. In this sense, the Chaco-Santiague~
na region
has been traditionally regarded as marginal, as far as cultural
development is concerned. There is a succession of waves of influ-
ence or convergence from the surrounding regions which config-
ured a particular cultural context in this territory (e.g. Hauesnchild,
1943; Bleiler, 1948; Gramajo de Martinez Moreno, 1978).
The Beltr
an Onofre Banegas-Lami Hern
andez archaeological site
(Robles Department, Santiago del Estero) is located at 27
49
0
08
00
S,
64
02
0
43
00
W(Fig. 1). It is possible that this site corresponds to the
one denominated by Hauenschild (1943) as Merced de Tacana,
excavated in the early twentieth century and which work helped
shape museum collections, mainly ceramic material (Museo de
Antropología de C
ordoba; Lindskoug, 2008). The area occupied by
the old settlers is distinguished by the presence of mounds that
disrupt the landscape in the vicinity of the Dulce River paleo-
riverbed. The remains analyzed in this paper come from a 28.75 m
2
area, organized in grids by successive campaigns from 20 08 to 2009
(del Papa and De Santis, 2015). Most grids show the largest con-
centration of archaeological materials between 10 and 50 cm. From
that depth on, materials decrease drastically. During the field work,
ceramic material was recovered. Preliminary, they are assigned to
the late agro pottery context, with the presence of mainly Sunchi-
túyoj fragments and scarce Averías remains (ceramic remains are
still under study). Lithic and human bone remains (skull fragments
in a single grid) were also recovered. On this site, a radiocarbon date
has been obtained from samples of charcoal, 420 ±60 BP (LP-2054)
(del Papa and De Santis, 2015).
1.2. Cultural context of the site
The agro-pottery stage in the region is characterized by the
development of sedentary groups with Las Mercedes, Sunchitúyoj
and Averías pottery, and timeline that begins in 350 AD until the
Spanish conquest in the sixteenth century. Given the context of the
study site (mainly involving Sunchitúyoj materials and few Averías
remains), the focus is on the late stage.
The Late Period in the Chaco-Santiague~
na region is character-
ized by the presence of groups of Sunchitúyoj and Averías pottery
bearers (Togo , 20 04). In many places, these styles are associated,
while in some others they are separated (Reichlen, 1940; Gramajo
de Martinez Moreno, 1978; Togo, 2004). Grouping Sunchitúyoj
and Averías in the Chaco-Santiague~
na Cultural Tradition (Lorandi,
1978) is based on the fact that both present a settlement pattern
and an economic system with similar characteristics, although
there is a difference in intensity (e.g. greater emphasis on textile
practices and a population increase in Averías). Their fundamental
differences are focused on the decorative and stylistic type of
pottery. Sunchitúyoj involves bicolor ceramic, soft colors and the
central iconography of an “Owl”while Averías shows polychrome
L.M. del Papa / Quaternary International 391 (2016) 74e81 75
ceramics (red, black and white or cream), strong colors, and the
main motif is the stepped frets, alternating triangles, spirals,
concentric circles or figures, the stylized “Owl”and the two-headed
serpent among others (Gramajo de Martinez Moreno, 1978; Togo,
2004). Despite these similarities, Togo (2004) retains the names
Sunchitúyoj and Averías broadly, as there are pure sites with no
association whatsoever. This would denote the presence of inde-
pendent human groups within the province who developed both
materials with technology and different symbolisms, despite the
similarity in the settlement pattern (residential buildings on nat-
ural, artificial or mixed mounds), economics (mixed, agricultural,
livestock farming and hunteregatherer), funerary objects and some
ceramic technology (Togo, 20 04). According to new dates available,
Sunchitúyoj groups developed between 1200 and 1500 AD (Togo,
2007) and may have persisted until the Spanish conquest, at least
in some areas of the province (Togo, 2004). On the other hand,
Averías would have developed very close to the arrival of European
conquerors in the sixteenth century, as follows from direct asso-
ciations with Hispanic elements.
1.3. Description of Chelonoidis chilensis
Two tortoise species are present in the study area; Phrynops
hilarii (river turtle), a species that is not very common today, and
the common tortoise Chelonoidis chilensis (Fig. 2)(Richard, 1999).
C. chilensis inhabits arid areas south of the Tropic of Capricorn,
with seasonal and daily temperature differences that influence
their behavior as ectothermic animals. C. chilensis activities will
be associated with both daily and seasonal weather conditions,
which would affect the encounter rate by humans. In this sense,
activity is primarily diurnal during their trophic period (August
to April), when it feeds on a daily basis, performs courtship,
fighting, mating, and could be captured by humans and other
predators (Richard, 1999). By contrast, during the winter break
(April to August) it remains in the shelter, where it hibernates in
the cold season (Richard, 1999). It usually shelters in burrows
abandoned by other animals (e.g. vizcachas, armadillos),
50e80 cm inside from the entrance (Richard, 1999). C. chilensis
speciesisofmoderatesize.Malesreach15cminlengthand
Fig. 1. Beltr
an Onofre Banegas- Lami Hern
andez site Location.
L.M. del Papa / Quaternary International 391 (2016) 74e8176
females 18 and 20 cm (Richard, 1999), with mass of 2.5 kg. At
present this species is in the national Endangered conservation
category (Chebez et al., 2011) due to pressure on C. chilensis
populations generated both by the environmental modification
(mainly by the advance of the agricultural border) and illegal
extractive hunting for commercial purposes (whether domestic
or international) in order to use tortoises as pets or in interna-
tional cuisine (Richard, 1999).
1.4. Prior results
In a previous study (del Papa and De Santis, 2015), the tapho-
nomical analysis results of C. chilensis remains recovered from the
BOL site were presented. The aim of that work was to identify the
depositional agent. In this sense, the analysis allowed us to inter-
pret the archaeological record entry of turtles through human ac-
tivity. Among the evidence was the preponderance of carapace
Fig. 2. Individual of Chelonoidis chilensis. Photographs take by Fernando Fern
andez.
L.M. del Papa / Quaternary International 391 (2016) 74e81 77
plates that may represent the processing of this taxon, possible
skeleton discard in other areas, destruction of endoskeletal ele-
ments, or selection of the carapace as containers. In addition to the
preponderance of carapace plates, there is a high frequency of
fragmented plates in relation to the endoskeletal elements and a
percentage between 20% and 40% of thermally altered plates (del
Papa and De Santis, 2015). This evidence is related to the in-
dicators of human accumulation proposed by Sampson (2000).
Thermal alteration is only recorded on the carapace plate's dorsal
side, which indicates whole prey were cooked in embers or over a
fire (del Papa and De Santis, 2015). Moreover, the size of the entire
plates recovered from the study site indicates selection of adult
females (sizes close to 20 cm) (del Papa and De Santis, 2015).
Preliminary analysis has recorded the action of natural predators
due to evidence of light gastric corrosion in microvertebrate spec-
imens (Anura, Sigmodontinae, Ctenomys sp. and Caviinae). Death by
natural causes of fossorial animals (e.g. disease, old age, starvation,
burrow collapse) was also recorded by the finding of individuals in
articulated state (Chaetophractus vellerosus,Lagostomus maximus
and Ctenomys sp.). With regard to anthropic evidence, cut marks,
thermal alteration and bone technology for indeterminate birds,
Rhea americana,Lama sp., Dolichotinae and L. maximus were
recorded; cut marks and thermal alteration for Tupinambis sp.; and
thermal alteration in fish, Ophidia, C. vellerosus,Tolypeutes matacus,
Canidae, Leopardus geoffroyi,Mazama sp. and Caviinae. The thor-
ough analysis of these taxa is underway at present and there has
been a partial analysis of the remains of reptiles (del Papa, 2015).
2. Methods
Quantification of the materials was performed by classical
measures NISP (number of identified specimens per taxon, Payne,
1975) and MNI (minimum number of individuals; White, 1953).
In this paper, the MNI unit is multiplied by the taxon average mass
in its life (MNI average mass) by way of estimating the biomass
obtained from different resources and assessing their role in the old
settlers' lives (del Papa et al., 2012;del Papa, 2012). An average of
the range of variation has been calculated in order to consider adult
animals (Table 1). For fish, the average of the most conspicuous
species of Dulce River was calculated, their mass obtained by
catching some specimens (Mastrarrigo,1947)ofProchilodus lineatus
(s
abalo), Leporinus obtusidens (boga), Salminus brasiliensis (dorado)
and Pimelodus albicans (catfish, moncholo), and then calculating an
overall average. For the tortoises the mass that Chelonoidis chilensis
can reach (Chebez, 1999) was considered. For Tupinambis sp., the
mass of Tupinambis meriane (Basso, 2004) was considered. Due to
the large proportion of indeterminate bird species, we considered
identified species in other archaeological sites in the area: Calidris
sp. (sandpipers); Chauna torquata (southern screamer); Chunga
burmeisteri (black-legged seriema); Dendrocygna sp. (tree-ducks);
Ciconia maguari (maguari stork); Jabiru mycteria (jabiru); Fulica sp.
(coots); Milvago chimango (chimango); Nothoprocta sp. (tinamus);
Nothura maculosa (spotted tinamou); Eudromia sp. (martineta
tinamou); and Vanellus chilensis (southern lapwing) (Lorandi and
Lovera, 1972; Cione et al., 1979), for which the general average of
the whole was calculated (Fiora, 1933; Contreras, 1985, 1986;
Camperi and Darrieu, 2005). In the case of Rhea americana
(greater Rhea), Martella and Navarro (2006) was followed. For
Dolichotis patagonum (mara), Baldi (2007) was considered. For
Lama sp., low latitude guanaco mass (Elkin, 1996) was considered.
For the other mammals, we followed Redford and Eisenberg (1992).
To calculate the mass, microvertebrates (Anura, Ophidia, Iguania,
Marmosinae and Sigmodontinae) which by preliminary analysis of
their remains might have died a natural death and/or have been
hunted by natural predators, were ruled out.
Moreover, in order to investigate the role that tortoises might
have had, ethnographic studies regarding the study region and
surrounding areas are analyzed, which can help to discuss the
importance in the diet and use for other purposes by the ancient
inhabitants of the Chaco-Santiague~
na region.
3. Results
3.1. Relative importance of resources
In the archaeofaunal assemblage, mammals are predominant
(including comprehensive categories) with 53.45% NISP, followed
by fish with 29.43%, birds with 9.33%, and reptiles with 5.85%
(Table 2). Among reptiles, remains of Tupinambis sp. with 4.05%,
followed by C. chilensis with 0.94% of the overall sample (Table 2)
stand out. Moreover, through the MNI average mass estimator, an
ample predominance of camelids was observed (67%), followed by
R. americana (10%), and thirdly rodents and fish (6% respectively)
(Fig. 3). The remaining resources would have had lesser contribu-
tions to the diet of the ancient inhabitants (Table 2,Fig. 3).
Regarding tortoises in particular, a MNI of 2 was calculated by the
amount of pelvis (two left ileum), so a 5 kg biomass is estimated at
the study site (note that most of the mass corresponds to external
bone structure). C. chilensis made a smaller contribution to the diet
with Canidae and L. geoffroyi (between 0.3 and 1%).
Table 1
Average mass of taxa in life.
Taxa Average weight (kg)
Teleostei 0.968
Chelonoidis chilensis 2.5
Tupinambis sp. 4.15
Aves 1.412
Rhea americana 26
Chaetophractus vellerosus 0.837
Tolypeutes matacus 1.1
Cabassous chacoensis 7
Lycalopex gymnocercus 5.15
a
Leopardus geoffroyi 3.59
Lama sp. 95
Mazama sp. 23.45
Lagostomus maximus 6.18
Dolichotis patagonum 10
Dolichotis salinicola 1.85
Microcavia australis 0.286
Galea musteloides 0.225
Ctenomys sp. 0.2
a
Estimated mass for Canidae category.
Table 2
Taxonomic abundance (NISP, NISP%, MNI and MNI average mass of the taxon in
life).
Taxa NISP NISP% MNI MNI weight
Mollusca 176 1.69 ee
Teleostei 3067 29.45 60 58.08
Anura 23 0.22 2 e
c
Reptilia 7 0.06 ee
Chelonoidis chilensis 98 0.94 2 5
Ophidia 78 0.74 1 e
Tupinambis sp. 422 4.05 7 29.05
Iguania 7 0.06 1 e
c
Aves
a
413 3.96 11 15.53
Rhea americana 554
b
5.31 4 104
Mammalia indet. 3647 35.02 ee
Lama sp. 510 4.89 7 665
Cervidae 2 0.01 ee
Mazama sp. 4 0.03 1 23.45
Dasypodidae 112 1.07 ee
L.M. del Papa / Quaternary International 391 (2016) 74e8178
3.2. Use of tortoises by historical current populations
The consumption of tortoises in the Province of Santiago del
Estero has been mentioned for the first Spanish settlements in the
region (second half of the sixteenth century): “This is a plentiful
pasture land, and so it has many hunting and birds, such as hares,
deer, guanacos, rabbits, ostriches, vizcachas, armadillos, tortoises,
iguana…”Sotelo de Narv
aez (1583 [1885], p. 145; author's italics).
With regard to obtaining tortoises by humans, current obser-
vations can help us understand the role of this resource in the diet
of the ancient inhabitants. Richard (1999) mentions that the
importance of C. chilensis in the subsistence of inhabitants from its
distribution area varies from a supplementary or alternative
resource in times of scarce hunting to an integral and necessary
part of the diet in areas that are currently faunistically over-
exploited, where depletion of key resources caused inhabitants to
focus on alternative resources such as tortoises (Richard, 1999).
Among some of the examples in tortoise gathering, capture by the
Wichí in the Central Chaco is random. When the Wichí walk by the
“field”, if they intercept some specimen they will probably take it
home (Arenas, 2003). Circumstantial gathering was also observed
in existing rural populations of Mendoza (made during the trophic
time period of C. chilensis), as tortoises are captured while the vil-
lagers perform other tasks or seek other resources (Richard, 1999).
Richard (1999) mentions that when encountering a “good size”
tortoise, villagers collect it and bring it home alive where they put it
in a pen or tie it (after drilling its shell) in order to accumulate as
many tortoises as possible during the time of extraction of this
resource, reaching between 4 and 8 tortoises per household for
consumption (between 1 and 4 accumulations per season).
Altrichter (2006) for rural populations in the semiarid Chaco
(west area of Chaco Province, located north of the study area)
mentions that consumption of tortoises corresponds to less than 1%
of the wild fauna (for this calculation consumption of domestic
species is not taken into account; its proportion in the diet is
important). Rural people from different regions (including various
species of the Chelonoidis type) usually collect adult individuals for
consumption, in some cases selecting females of reproductive age
(Richard, 1999; Arenas, 2003).
In addition to the consumption of tortoises as stews, locros and
soups (Richard, 1999; Arenas, 2003), we must consider the use of
other products from this species, as well as non-food uses (Frazier,
2005). In this sense, the current rural population of Santiago del
Estero uses both tortoise's meat and eggs, with egg consumption
more frequent. Tortoises have not only nutritious but also
symbolic-magical implications (there is a belief that their ingestion
produces “long life”)(Basualdo et al., 1985). Moreover, both their
meat and blood are used for medicinal purposes (Basualdo et al.,
1985). It is also common to see the use of shells as ornaments or
containers (Basualdo et al., 1985; Richard, 1999; Leon and Togo,
2013).
4. Discussion and final comments
In a previous study, the record of C. chilensis was interpreted on
the Beltr
an Onofre Banegas-Lami Hern
andez site as a result of
human activity (del Papa and De Santis, 2015). Remains of tortoises
are recurrent in the region of Chaco-Santiague~
na archaeological
sites for the agro-pottery period (Kraglievich and Rusconi, 1931;
Rusconi, 1934; Lorandi and Lovera, 1972; Cione et al., 1979; del
Papa, 2012; del Papa and De Santis, 2015).
Fig. 3. Relative abundance of taxa used (MNI average mass of the taxon in life). * Includes Chaetophractus vellerosus,Tolypeutes matacus y Cabassous chacoensis; ** includes
Lagostomus maximus,Dolichotis patagonum,Dolichotis salinicola,Galea musteloides,Microcavia australis and Ctenomys sp.
Table 2 (continued )
Taxa NISP NISP% MNI MNI weight
Chaetophractus vellerosus 751 7.21 8 6.70
Cabassous chacoensis 14 0.13 1 7
Tolypeutes matacus 39 0.37 1 1.10
Canidae 3 0.02 1 5.15
Leopardus geoffroyi 2 0.01 1 3.59
Lagostomus maximus 136 1.30 4 24.72
Dolichotinae 8 0.07 ee
Dolichotis patagonum 58 0.55 3 30
Dolichotis salinicola 6 0.05 1 1.85
Marmosinae 1 0.009 1 e
c
Caviinae 44 0.42 ee
Galea musteloides 4 0.03 2 0.57
Microcavia australis 5 0.04 2 0.45
Ctenomys sp. 72 0.69 7 1.40
Sigmodontinae 151 1.44 24 e
c
Subtotal 10,414 100
Indet. 5530
NSP 15,944
a
It includes: Tinamiformes (Eudromia elegans,Nothura sp.), Anatidae, Falco
sparverius,Geranoaetus melanoleucus,Tyto alba, Psittacidae, Columbiformes and
Passeriformes.
b
483 correspond to eggshells and 71 to bones.
c
Those microvertebrates that by a preliminary analysis of their remains might
have died a natural death and/or have been hunted by natural predators.
L.M. del Papa / Quaternary International 391 (2016) 74e81 79
The aim of the paper was to discuss the role of tortoises for the
ancient inhabitants of the Beltr
an Onofre Banegas-Lami Hernandez
site of a late agropottery context, whose occupation is considered to
correspond to a period bounded in time. In this sense, a low pro-
portion of the tortoise resource is observed in relation to others,
either through the NISP or the estimated mass of individuals rep-
resented in the registry (in both cases under 1%). The MNI biomass
estimate multiplied the average mass of the taxon in life, over-
estimating the mass of nutrients obtained from this resource as
much of the mass corresponds to the external bone structure. In
this sense, the low proportion of tortoises in the registry is
consistent with a circumstantial or opportunistic use during the
activity cycle (trophic period between August and April). The small
amount of fat and meat obtained from C. chilensis makes them
unpalatable to current populations (Arenas, 2003), which would
condition exploitation despite being an easy resource to obtain.
Mainly because their activities are diurnal, they are slow (low
chance of escape) and have limited defense strategies. Therefore
their capture would be virtually for gathering purposes (Stiner
et al., 2000). This opportunistic gathering could have developed
during the search for other resources.
On the basis of resources' proportion, in the site a strategy based
on those of larger size was adopted, mainly camelids and to a lesser
extent R. americana; using as complementary resources Cav-
iomorpha rodents, fish, birds, reptiles, deer, Dasypodidae and car-
nivores. This is consistent with the postulated model for late
moments of the study region, which would have developed a
generalist strategy, with a predominance in obtaining Camelidae
(both wild and domesticated) resource, and to a lesser extent, re-
sources of smaller size (del Papa, 2012). This strategy would have
been implemented to address the constraints (whether environ-
mental and/or anthropic) in order to avoid excessive exploitation of
resources. It is noteworthy that the overexploitation and degrada-
tion of environments by the advance of the agricultural frontier
observed today have caused populations to focus on alternative
resources such as tortoises, and its capture constitutes an important
and necessary part of the diet (Richard, 1999), which is inconsistent
with the record of the study site.
Gathering tortoises does not necessarily have the sole purpose
of consumption or obtaining nutrients (the latter was indicated by
ember cooking or direct fire). Tortoises could have been obtained to
use their shell as containers or for aesthetic purposes (although the
use for such purposes could not be demonstrated, a large propor-
tion of carapace plate elements is observed in relation to the
endoskeletal (del Papa and De Santis, 2015)). Medicinal or symbolic
use is not ruled out, as demonstrated in rural populations in the
study area (Basualdo et al., 1985). Therefore, they could have been
obtained on special occasions to meet ritual needs, hence the low
proportion on record.
In previous work for the ChacoeSantiague~
na region (del Papa,
2012, 2015; del Papa and Moro, 2014; del Papa and De Santis,
2015) we considered that reptiles (mainly Tupinambis sp. and
C. chilensis) had a supplementary role in the ancient inhabitants'
diet, mainly during the busiest months of reptiles: in spring-
esummer (September to March). However, considering the record
of C. chilensis in particular and the proportion of nutrients provided
in the diet, tortoises become an occasional and/or opportunistic
resource. Although evidence of consumption was recorded (for
direct heat cooking), their use for other purposes is not precluded
such as medicinal or symbolic significance.
Acknowledgements
I acknowledge: Valeria Accinelli for translating this work into
English; Professor Juan Carlos Cejas for facilitating fieldwork and its
continued support to archaeological work in the area; do~
na Elda
and Mr. Lami Hern
andez for allowing us to work on their properties
and offer their facilities, and the former mayor of Beltran, Miguel
Alvarez for support. I thank Fernando Fern
andez for allowing me to
use pictures of Chelonoidis chilensis taken by him, and the evalua-
tors whose comments help to improve this paper. The information
contained herein is the sole responsibility of the author. This work
is part of the Postdoctoral fellowship from CONICET and is financed
by the Proyecto de Incentivos Program for Teachers-Researchers,
Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, UNLP, Code Project: N
769. Director: Dr. Luciano De Santis.
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