Primera aproximación a la caracterización cuantitativa de fitolitos diagnósticos de maíz actual (zea mays) como herramienta en la investigación arqueológica

The present study addresses the identification and estimation of siliceous diagnostic microremains of maize (Zea mays) in archaeological contexts of North- east Argentina, contributing to the understanding of pre-Hispanic agricultural expansion in the region. The methodology applied involved the application of processing protocols for current and archaeological plants and sediments, establishing correlations between samples. The result of this process allowed us to calculate the number of cross-shaped morphotypes per gram of dry material in contemporary maize leaves, key information to estimate the relative abundance of diagnostic elements in archaeological cultivation areas, providing an estimation index applicable to other contexts. This analysis not only reveals the ubiquity of Zea mays at sites, but also provides a measure to estimate the approximate volume of its production at archaeological sites, addressing outstanding questions about exchange routes, horticultural modalities and needs of human groups in the past.