Work

Early Archaic Fishing (12,600–9,200 cal yr BP) in the Semiarid North Coast of Chile

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: We present the results of the analysis of fish remains from an archaeological context (Punta Ñagué) associated with the earliest settlers in the semiarid northern coast of Chile and dated to the end of the Pleistocene (12,916–11,043 cal yr BP). The great majority of the species identified are fish that can be captured with nets in the nearshore sub-tidal and inter-tidal zones. These results, along with evidence from other early archaeological sites in northern Chile, demonstrate the early systematic exploitation of fish species, particularly Sciaenidae. These fish constituted an abundant and reliable resource, which contributed significantly to the subsistence of these early maritime-adapted settlers who populated the Pacific coast of South America.

Source: The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology

DOI: 10.1080/15564894.2014.940096

Authors: Philippe Béarez, Donald Jackson, Noémy Mollaret

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Archéozoologie et Archéobotanique, University of Chile

Language: English

Topic: Maritime and Coastal Archaeology

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: green

Funder: Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle