Caracterización geoambiental y cultural del período formativo en selvas occidentales meridionales: sitio “Horco Molle” (Dpto. Yerba Buena, Tucumán)

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to contribute to the knowledge of geoenvironmental and cultural characteristics of Tucumán?s piedmont during Formative Period, together with the reconstruction of the ways in which human groups interacted with those characteristics. Geomorphological photointerpretation, archaeological digs, soil profile descriptions, and typological analysis of lithic and ceramic materials were made. We conclude that wet paleoclimatic conditions and loessic soils favored Formative settlements with Candelaria ceramic style over alluvial fans and covered glacis geomorphological units. Those settlements belonged to Chuscha (200-400 DC) and Choromoro (400- 700 DC) phases, and possible Molleyaco (400-700 DC) and Rupachico (700-1000 DC) phases. The availability and quality of some rocks and minerals for lithic and ceramic production influenced low obtaining costs, low manufacturing costs, fast depositional processes, scarce reuse, and low artifact claim. Our results are interesting for southern Selvas Occidentales archaeology.