Alteración diagenética y preservación diferencial de los conjuntos óseos de la localidad arqueológica Paso Otero (provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Abstract

The main goal of this paper is to provide a taphonomic analysis related to the process of physical and chemical alteration of the bone structure caused by post-burial processes or diagenesis. Particularly, this research focuses on four archaeological assemblages from the Paso Otero archaeological locality (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). The study of diagenetic parameters such as porosity, crystallinity (IRSF), diagenetic carbonate content (C/P), calcite, protein content (%N) and histology were applied to bone assemblages of archaeological sites recorded in «A» buried soil horizons located in ancient flood plains in the middle basin of the Quequén Grande River. The chronological span includes the late Pleistocene and the beginning of the late Holocene. The analysis of bone microstructure indicates a pattero of differential bone preservation even when the archaeological assemblages come from quite similar environmental depositional settings. Consequently, it is remarkable that every site has undergone a very particular taphonomic history regarding post-burial processes. The possible causes of theses differences are explored and discussed.