Jessica Manzano-García

Preliminary information regarding the survey of cultural heritage in different sectors of the Traslasierra National Park, in the northwest of Córdoba Province (Argentina) is presented. The national park, formerly Estancia Pinas, has a long history of human occupation, spanning from early indigenous communities to its transformation into a rural settlement. The used methodology combined ethnohistorical data, satellite imagery, local knowledge, and community-based interviews. The data generated were used to create overlaying layers in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Based on these data, extensive and intensive surveys were conducted, documenting a wide range of cultural heritage distributed across five areas (three archaeological sites and two areas with historical heritage related to industrial activity). Additionally, preliminary results are presented for the El Mistol archaeological locality, where 104 fired-earth structures (known as botijas or hornillos) were identified at two archaeological sites (Hornillos del Mistol and Acequias del Mistol). Their dimensions and spatial distribution in the Hornillos del Mistol site were recorded and analyzed, revealing a higher density in the southern sector. Structure H17 was excavated and yielded a radiocarbon date between A.D. 1535 and 1588. Finally, recently proposed hypotheses regarding the potential uses of these underground structures are discussed.

Although the creation of protected areas helps to protect biodiversity, it does not necessarily contribute to the reduction in some conflicts, such as livestock predation by large carnivores. We evaluated the presence of puma (Puma concolor) in a large ranch converted into a National Park and in surrounding rancher areas in the Dry Chaco of Argentina. Two years after livestock removal from the protected area, puma occupancy was associated with wild prey richness, which was greater in the park than in the neighboring ranches, and was negatively related to livestock presence. We also evaluated ranchers’ perceptions of puma presence and their tolerance to livestock predation. Ranchers showed a negative perception of puma presence and a low tolerance to livestock predation. Therefore, this study suggests that, while the creation of a protected area can improve both predator and prey densities, successful mitigation of human–predator conflict requires further strategies and interventions, like economic compensation and environmental education programs.

Introduced species generate worldwide concern due to in many cases manifest their potential as invasive as invasives. However, little is known about its sociocultural importance and biocultural interaction. Through open and semi-structured interviews, guided walks and participant observation, the main uses and cultural valuations of biogeographically introduced plants in localities of the Dry Chaco (Catamarca and Córdoba) were investigated. A total of 53 species were documented, 18 with medicinal use and 40 for food. The most recurrent treatments correspond to digestive disorders and respiratory conditions; in food, those for direct consumption stand out. Most taxa with local therapeutic applications coincide with theoretical studies on active principles and their curative effects. Finally, it is concluded that the biogeographic origin of the species is independent of the cultural valuations as long as they are potentially usable, in addition to recognizing that ethnobotanical knowledge based on experience supports the uses found from the academy.

Animals and products derived from their organs have been part of the inventory of medicinal substances used in various cultures since ancient times. Recent research has highlighted the relationship between traditional medicine and biodiversity, showing a growing unsustainable use, commercialization and exploitation, and increasing the extractivism of wild species, especially those that are endangered. We propose to characterize the animal pharmacopoeia of the rural population of the Salinas Grandes region, Córdoba, Argentina, pointing out contributions for conservation. Specialists and practitioners of domestic medicine were selected by intentional sampling and by snowball technique, applying open and semi-structured interviews, previously obtaining a verbal consent. A total of 45 medicinal uses were recorded, corresponding to 19 species belonging to 16 zoological families. The most used classes of animals are Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia, while Insecta are underused. The most frequently used parts of the animal pharmacopoeia are fats; external uses such as topicals and frictions and massages, and direct applications are the most common forms of application and preparation. The most commonly treated conditions are earaches, followed by respiratory conditions. The species with the highest number of applications were Salvator merianae and Boa constrictor occidentalis. A considerable proportion of the animals described in this work are on the IUCN red list of species, implying some concern for conservation: there are species that are almost threatened and with decreasing populations (Rhea americana, Tolypeutes matacus). A good part of them are obtained from hunting activities, are wild and are protected by law. Despite this, the commercialization of medicinal animal products is not common in Salinas Grandes, which suggests that their use is mainly local, and their use is sustainable. Los animales y los productos derivados de sus órganos integran el inventario de sustancias medicinales usados en diversas culturas desde tiempos ancestrales. Investigaciones recientes destacan la relación entre la medicina tradicional y la biodiversidad, y evidencian un creciente uso, comercialización, explotación no sustentable y extractivismo de especies silvestres (en especial, de aquellas amenazadas). Se propone caracterizar la farmacopea animal de la población rural de la región de las Salinas Grandes de Córdoba, Argentina, señalando aportes para la conservación. Se seleccionaron especialistas y practicantes de la medicina doméstica a través del muestreo intencional y la técnica de bola de nieve, con entrevistas abiertas y semiestructuradas (con consentimiento verbal previo). Se consignó un total de 45 usos medicinales, correspondientes a 19 especies de 16 familias zoológicas. Las clases más usadas de animales son Reptilia, Aves y Mammalia, mientras que Insecta está subaprovechada. Las partes de la farmacopea animal utilizadas con más frecuencia son las grasas; sus formas más comunes de aplicación y preparación son los tópicos, las fricciones, los masajes y las aplicaciones directas. Las afecciones más tratadas son el dolor de oídos y las afecciones respiratorias. Las especies con mayor cantidad de aplicaciones son Salvator merianae y Boa constrictor occidentalis. Una proporción considerable de los animales aquí descriptos figuran en la lista roja de especies de IUCN, lo cual es preocupante para la conservación: se encuentran especies casi amenazadas y con poblaciones decrecientes (e.g., Rhea americana, Tolypeutes matacus). Buena parte de ellas se obtienen de la actividad cinegética, son silvestres y están protegidos por la ley. Pese a esto, en las Salinas Grandes no se suelen comercializar productos animales medicinales, lo que hace suponer que su empleo es fundamentalmente de carácter local, y su uso, sustentable.

Este trabajo tiene el propósito de evaluar las diferencias a nivel taxonómico y tafonómico entre los ensambles de micromamíferos contenidos en egagrópilas de lechucita de las vizcacheras (Athene cunicularia) recuperadas en cuatro nidos muestreados en distintos puntos de un campo ubicado en el Departamento Minas, al noroeste de la provincia de Córdoba, al interior del Chaco Seco. A partir de este estudio nos proponemos explorar y evaluar la influencia de los microambientes (composición y cobertura vegetal) inmediatos a cada nido en la estructura taxonómica de los ensambles de micromamíferos recuperados y, de esta forma, proveer herramientas para reforzar y fortalecer las inferencias paleoambientales en contextos con ocupaciones humanas a escala regional. Para este fin, incorporamos al análisis de las egagrópilas, muestreos e identificación de la vegetación en campo y la aplicación de herramientas de la geomática sobre imágenes satelitales. Los resultados de la comparación entre los distintos análisis indican una variación en la presencia/ausencia de especies de micromamíferos entre los cuatro nidos muestreados. En consonancia con lo anterior, proponemos que la composición general de la estructura del paisaje (vegetación más dispersa vs. vegetación más tupida) sería la causa principal de estas variaciones. Los resultados de los análisis tafonómicos revelaron índices de abundancia relativa elevados, alta fragmentación y proporciones elevadas de restos con modificaciones por digestión. Las intensidades de digestión detectadas fueron de leve a fuerte. No se observaron modificaciones de tipo extrema.

Introducción: Los estudios de etnobotánica médica han concitado un interés creciente en el centro de Argentina, siendo escasas las referencias a ecosistemas áridos y salinos de Córdoba. Se propone como objetivo interpretar el conocimiento y uso de las plantas medicinales en el marco de la ruralidad de las Salinas Grandes. M&M: Se seleccionaron por muestreo intencional y por técnica de bola de nieve especialistas y practicantes de la medicina doméstica, aplicando entrevistas con recorridas a campo y observación de jardines domésticos. Se tomaron registros digitales y escritos de narrativas, los que fueron caracterizados en términos cualitativos. Resultados: Se reconocieron 332 usos medicinales correspondientes a 120 especies vegetales (51% nativas silvestres, 38 % introducidas cultivadas) pertenecientes a 55 familias botánicas. Se examinó en relación con la etnomedicina la etiología, formas de diagnóstico y terapéutica de dolencias populares como el “empacho”, la “culebrilla”, la “pata de cabra”, la “ojeadura”, así como curaciones rituales y por el rastro. Conclusiones: La farmacopea vegetal de Salinas Grandes es rica en cantidad de especies medicinales a pesar del contexto ambiental de condiciones extremas. La presencia de aspectos sagrados da cuenta de la vigencia de una medicina integral en el marco de un complejo sistema etnomédico.

The study consists of a compendium of 17 introduced species and their relevance for rural inhabitants in differentiated areas of the Argentine Dry Chaco. Ethnobotanical information was obtained from semi-structured interviews, in-depth interviews, and participant observation. In turn, the Local Conservation Priority Index (IPCL) was applied in order to categorizelocal assessments. The mentioned plants belong to 10 families, the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae standing out. The medicinal uses that stand out revolve around digestive disorders and respiratory conditions, withinfusion being the main method to extract the therapeutic properties. Most of the species are not evaluated, lacking information related to their conservation status. It isconcluded that, despite the introduced origin of plant species, the local population does not perceive them under a negative assessment, but rather they signify natural resources perceived as sources of potentially usable local benefits.

Se presentan análisis zooarqueológicos de una colección moderna de 24 guanacos (Lama guanicoe), producto de la cacería, procesamiento, consumo y descarte de los animales en un campo del noroeste de la Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina. A lo anterior, se suma información obtenida a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas (n=50), en ocasiones con la participación de dos o tres interlocutores, abiertas, en profundidad (n=16), y observaciones participantes con pobladores locales (N=8), con el objetivo de aportar a la comprensión de las relaciones humano-guanacos desde una arqueología del pasado contemporáneo (fines del siglo XX hasta la actualidad). Nuestros resultados ponen en evidencia cambios y continuidades respecto a las prácticas de cacería, procesamiento y el aprovechamiento de estos ungulados. Además, el valor simbólico y medicinal de la especie para la comunidad local es discutido a la luz de los resultados que se presentan. Por último, se destaca que los cambios socioeconómicos y ecológicos característicos del Antropoceno han puesto al guanaco en peligro de extinción a nivel provincial. De esta manera, se destaca la importancia de realizar una arqueología del pasado contemporáneo que contribuya a la conservación biocultural en el área.

The perception, knowledge and use of non-native and invasive flora by social actors associated with protected areas in central Argentina were analyzed. Contemporary ethnoecology methods were followed. A total of 108 non-native species of botanical interest was documented. An organization of species is proposed according to their Relative Importance, and on an attitude scale in relation to conservation/elimination interest. In the case of invasive species, perceptions on ecology, importance and/or control are discussed based on the profiles of the social actors. The results shed light upon local points of view and nuances of what “non-native” and “invasive” means to the studied rural population. The use spectrum for some of the non-native species has shed light on adaptation to the cultural use of species based on resource availability, not necessarily associated with preference. Additionally, it should be noted that local actors perceive non-native and invasive species differently, which should be considered in the development of management and conservation guidelines.

This work explores perceptions related to the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) through the traditional knowledge, the practices of the rural inhabitant and the academic discourse associated to the species. The study was carried out in four areas of the central hills of Argentina, in the provinces of Catamarca, Córdoba (Quebrada del Condorito National Park), La Rioja and San Juan. From the perspective of these social actors, the Andean Condor can be valued as a key species, emblematic and worthy of conservation, but it can also be considered as conflictive and that must be eliminated by the hunter behaviour that some locals attribute to it. By means of ethnographic techniques we obtained information that evidenced the existence of a plurality in evaluations related to the Andean Condor, considering the local and the academic discourses, especially the differential perceptions regarding their eating habits, finding a contrast between the narratives in which the conservationist perception of the settlers of the park and the academy coincides, and the view of the settlers of the other three study areas. Systematized data show the simultaneity of perceptions associated with individual and collective knowledge about the human–animal relationship, identifying aspects ranging from the criteria associated with biocultural importance and conservation of the bird, until its negative valuation by being considered a threat for the livestock production.