Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 December 2021
Caracterizar las estrategias de movilidad de las sociedades cazadoras-recolectoras-pescadoras en ambientes insulares y litorales es fundamental para comprender la interacción humano-ambiental en el pasado. Las prospecciones en el noreste de la isla Diego Portales, en el mar interior de Última Esperanza (Magallanes, Chile), han permitido documentar ocho yacimientos arqueológicos formados por uno o varios conchales. Todos ellos se hallan ubicados en áreas de la costa al resguardo del viento dominante y con fácil acceso mediante embarcación. Los trabajos arqueológicos en dos de estos yacimientos (Bahía Easter 1 y 2) indican una estrategia de subsistencia similar durante el Holoceno tardío final, basada en el aprovechamiento de la biodiversidad de este ambiente de ecotono, con más de una docena de recursos marinos y terrestres consumidos. Entre éstas destaca en abundancia el huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus), probablemente cazado en el litoral continental. Teniendo en cuenta las dinámicas de poblamiento y movilidad propuestas desde la etnografía o la arqueología para otras áreas del archipiélago fuego-patagónico, los resultados permiten discutir la reocupación sucesiva de puntos estratégicos de la isla, particularmente en primavera-verano, cuando la encrucijada de caminos y recursos que representa el mar interior de Última Esperanza presentaba alicientes significativos para las comunidades canoeras.
Characterizing hunter-fisher-gatherer mobility strategies in island and coastal environments is key to understanding past human–environment interaction. Seafaring communities inhabiting the inland sea of Última Esperanza (Magallanes, Chile) maintained a subsistence strategy focused on hunting, gathering, and fishing until the beginning of the twentieth century. In this work we present the new archaeological findings from Diego Portales island (Almirante Montt Gulf) and discuss subsistence and mobility strategies in the context of the regional archaeological record. The systematic survey of the northeast tip of the island allowed us to record eight archaeological shell midden sites, on both the east and west coasts. Site location was determined by geotopographic factors. The excavation of two of the sites, Bahía Easter 1 and Bahía Easter 2, has provided evidence of occupation dating to the Final Late Holocene and covering a time span of almost 2,000 years. These two sites are associated with hunter-fisher-gatherer seafaring peoples who repeatedly frequented the area. Archaeozoological and archaeobotanical studies suggest a subsistence strategy based on the exploitation of at least a dozen different species of marine and terrestrial resources. Among the latter, the archaeological remains of huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) are particularly abundant. These mid-sized deer were probably hunted at the Patagonian coast and transported to the island. The location of the island, in a transit area between the external channels and the inland sea, and between the northern archipelagos and the continent, together with resource abundance and diversity, suggest that Diego Portales was a privileged area for seafaring occupation, especially in spring and summer.