María Marta Sampietro-Vattuone

This study analyzes the geomorphological context, weathering processes, and evolution of granitic shelters bearing rock art in the Parque Arqueológico Provincial La Tunita (Sierra de Ancasti, Northwest Argentina), a key repository of Aguada Culture pictographs ( ca . 600–900 AD). The research pursued four main objectives: (i) to characterize the spatial location and geomorphological setting of the principal shelters; (ii) to generate a three‐dimensional record of the cavities in relation to the distribution of pictographs; (iii) to identify inherited morphologies and ongoing degradative processes; and (iv) to propose a geomorphological evolutionary model for the area. Methodological procedures combined systematic photogrammetric recording with the production of 3D models. Weathering diagnosis was supported by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) to determine lithological composition, alteration products, and patinas, complemented by petrographic thin sections. The evolutionary model indicates that megatafoni and vault morphologies correspond to forms developed through prolonged weathering under warm–humid conditions. The tafoni interiors show vaults and ribs, some of which display higher resistance to uniaxial compression (RCU) than the surrounding rock. Active weathering results from the combined influence of humidity, salts, and biological/anthropic agents. Weathering fronts, gypsum and calcite neoformation, together with capillary humidity, partially affect the pictographs. Physical disintegration—granular disaggregation and exfoliation—is concentrated in overhangs and block supports, where compressive stress and water infiltration through fractures compromise the edges of certain paintings.

This study characterizes the phytolith assemblages of three pedostratigraphic profiles from the La Costa 2 site (Tafí del Valle, Tucumán) to assess the anthropic and natural processes that affected the agricultural terraces during the late Holocene. An analysis of the profiles allowed us to identify differences between those sectors with evidence of human activity and a control profile, providing with a first quantitative approximation to the local microbotanical record. The presence of diagnostic phytoliths compatible with domesticated taxa indicates a possible circulation of these plants at the site. Variations in Poaceae and dicotyledon assemblages reflect pedological processes and environmental heterogeneity. For example, the dominance of Pooideae in the lower levels and the increase of Chloridoideae in the middle levels (anthropized profiles) allow us to suggest that there was an increase in seasonality or aridity, a phenomenon that may have been amplified by anthropogenic pressure. This work highlights the potential of phytolith analysis at La Costa 2 and lays the foundation for future studies with this scarcely explored proxy.

La Vispesa is an archaeological settlement occupied from the First Iron Age to the Imperial Roman Period. The objectives of this study were to (i) perform a geomorphological characterization of the site; (ii) place it in its regional context; (iii) obtain values of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) to characterize the construction materials; (iv) assess the chronological data obtained; (v) establish the origin of the sandstones used; and (vi) assess the application of these techniques at archaeological sites. UCS estimations were produced for the preserved walls using a Schmidt hammer, and two groups of samples were identified. In these samples, stones from the Iberian Epoch walls were considerably weathered, while the Roman ashlars were well preserved as they were built from better-quality material that produced high UCS values. In addition, measurements of various sandstone outcrops probably used as quarries were made to compare values. Only one sandstone outcrop had estimations that could relate to the provision of raw material for the Roman period, while other estimations are compatible with Iberian walls. The application of this methodology proves to be highly beneficial for the analysis and comprehension of ancient constructions.

La vegetación del valle de Santa María, en Tucumán, está dominada por especies xerofíticas, incluyendo arbustos, suculentas, plantas anuales, geofitas y árboles, que se distribuyen en distintas unidades del paisaje. Si bien los estudios previos se centraron principalmente en aspectos florísticos, los aspectos ecológicos han sido menos explorados. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la variación altitudinal en la composición de especies, diversidad, abundancia y cobertura vegetal en un sector del valle. Se realizaron muestreos en parcelas ubicadas en Ampimpa (2500 m snm), Molle Yaco (2200 m snm) y Tío Punco (1755 m snm), en el piedemonte occidental de las Cumbres Calchaquíes. Se identificaron 39 especies de plantas y 1049 individuos en total. Aunque la composición de especies varió entre los sitios, se registraron similitudes por la presencia de especies compartidas. Austroflourensia tortuosa fue dominante en Ampimpa y Molle Yaco, representando casi la mitad de los individuos registrados, mientras que Plectrocarpa rougesii y Tricomaria usillo predominaron en Tío Punco. Ampimpa y Molle Yaco presentaron significativamente mayor abundancia, diversidad y cobertura vegetal que Tío Punco. Las comunidades vegetales en este sector del valle mostraron variaciones en su composición y estructura, asociadas al gradiente altitudinal. Estos cambios podrían estar relacionados con variaciones en las condiciones climáticas y la textura del suelo a lo largo del gradiente, aunque se requieren más estudios para confirmar esta relación.

The role of storage strategies throughout history is unquestionable. The old city of Quilmes offers features that indicate a possible emphasis placed on the construction of structures oriented to that end. The objectives of this research are: (1) to carry out the first systematic survey of the semi-urban system of the Old City of Quilmes; (2) differentiate between structures of diverse function through morphological clues; (3) identify and record structures traditionally associated with storage; and (4) estimate the area occupied by the aforementioned structures and their volumetric capacity. For this, a non-invasive geoarchaeological approach is proposed through the use of remote sensors and digital models, accompanied by statistical analysis. The set of information has made it possible to establish that the structures similar to storage use would cover a total area estimated at 26,146 m2 with an estimated volume of 43,761 m3 and probably contributed to improving food security during the period of indigenous resistance (1535-1667). This constitutes the first systematic approach to this subject.

La aplicación de la cartografía geomorfológica a los estudios geoarqueológicos es de gran interés para la construcción de modelos evolutivos que integren la información de los cambios del paisaje con las ocupaciones humanas. El uso de drones provee una gran ventaja para la elaboración de este tipo de cartografía. El presente mapa ofrece información detallada sobre el contexto geomorfolóigo del sitio arqueológico El Pichao, la ubicación espacial de las estructuras que lo componen, los procesos morfodinámicos activos que las afectan, su estado de conservación y contiene información de detalle para la conservación del sitio.

El mapa geomorfológico de la Bardena Blanca fue elaborado a partir de la información de campo y cartográfica acumulada a lo largo de varios proyectos de investigación sobre la geomorfología de Las Bardenas Reales. El objetivo principal es la representación gráfica de las morfologías existentes, clasificadas y ordenadas cronológicamente siguiendo una leyenda normalizada para mapas detallados. El mapa aporta datos morfogenéticos y cronoestratigráficos de los depósitos del Pleistoceno superior y Holoceno y su interpretación evolutiva. El conocimiento de la influencia de los cambios climáticos en la dinámica geomorfológica de la Bardena Blanca durante el Holoceno es de gran importancia para prever la evolución regional en futuros escenarios de cambios climáticos.

In this article we examine the effects of surficial runoff on the visibility, preservation and spatial distribution of pre-Hispanic pottery sherds (ca. 100-1.535 a.C.) in alluvial fans of the Sierra de Quilmes (Northwest of Argentina) to evaluate the validity of spatial patterns of occupation based in part on them. Archaeological surveys across the slope-foothill-bottom of the valley with surface collection and pits were made. Archaeological places were located and chronologically differentiated in geomorphological and hydrological maps. Finally, traces of hydric displacement in the ceramic fragments were macroscopically analyzed. The results show, that pottery sherds were mainly found in the proximal and distal parts of the fans, but they markedly decrease in the middle sectors, eliminated by runoff and channeled through the gullies after a short distance displacement. However, formal modifications of the sherds due to displacement are uniformly slight in all three sectors, and, importantly, there are spatial and chronological-stylistic correspondences between surface and pit assemblages. Consequently, the pottery distribution reflects the archaeological spatial structure at local and microregional scales, even under spatially differentiated water and wind erosion / sedimentation, favored by aridity, differences in slopes and vegetation cover.

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