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Archaeofaunal Accumulation, Fragmented Forests, and Anthropogenic Landscape Mosaics in the Tropical Lowlands of Prehispanic Ecuador

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Peter W. Stahl
Peter W. Stahl*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
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Abstract

This study examines archaeofaunal materials contained within a large bell-shaped prehistoric pit from the site of Pechichal (M3B4-011) in northern Manabí Province of lowland western Ecuador. This feature provides a high resolution archaeological context for understanding assemblage accumulation and deposition, and provides important data for inferring local environmental conditions. The archaeofaunal assemblage can be divided into two distinct groups based upon the vertical representation of its skeletal remains throughout the pit. One group, characterized by variable skeletal representation and vertical concentration, likely includes both culturally disposed and naturally entrapped taxa. The other group, characterized by a few isolated fragments, low skeletal completeness, and dispersion in vertical profile, is likely dominated by culturally disposed taxa. When the natural histories of the pit faunas are considered along with their distinct numerical representation, the entire pit assemblage makes ecological sense. The data suggest that the pit was located at the edge of a modified forest fragment.

Resumen

Resumen

En este estudio se analizan los materiales arqueofaunisticos encontrados en una formación tronco-cónica grande (Elemento 5) del sitio de Pechichal (M3B4-011) al norte de la provincia de Manabí, en las tierras bajas del occidente de Ecuador. Este elemento representa un contexto arqueológico de alta resolución para comprender la acumulación y depósito del conjunto zooarqueológico y proporciona datos importantes para inferir las condiciones ambientales locales. El conjunto de arqueofauna puede dividirse en dos grupos distintos con base en la representación vertical de los restos de esqueletos en el pozo. Un grupo, que se caracteriza por la representación variable de materiales zooarqueológicos y su concentración vertical, posiblemente incluye tanto restos que se depositaron por procesos culturales como de animales que quedaron atrapados ahí. El otro grupo, que se caracteriza por pocos fragmentos aislados, esqueletos relativamente incompletos y su dispersión en el perfil vertical, probablemente representa restos arqueofaunísticos que se depositaron intencionalmente en el basurero. Al considerar las historias naturales de los restos de animales del basurero al igual que su representación numérica diferencial, la colección cobra sentido ecológico. Los datos sugieren que el pozo se localizaba en la orilla de un sector boscoso modificado.

Type
Articles
Information
Latin American Antiquity , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , September 2000 , pp. 241 - 257
Copyright
Copyright © 2000 by the Society for American Archaeology

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