Geomorphology of the Caracota Valley, Western Altiplano, Northern Chile

We present a detailed geomorphological characterisation of the Caracota Valley (18°49′S 69°11′W, 4200–4600 m) in the western Altiplano of Northern Chile. A complex pattern ofPleistocene and Early Holocene glacier activity is responsible for the today’s landscapeconfiguration. Wetlands and temporary lakes significantly characterise the Caracota Valleysetting providing water sources and storage required for life in this semi-arid landscape.Non-glacial processes at low intensities through most of the Holocene evoked little changesto the glacial landscape configuration, even though alluvial, fluvial and aeolian processeslocally caused some sediment redistribution. The geomorphological study is embedded intoa geoarchaeological research project on early human occupation in the zone of the Salar deSurire, Northern Chile, at 18°50′S. The geomorphological map offers a base to frame futurediscussions on the links between cultural and geomorphological places formation, which isa necessary step to move beyond site scales and ethnographic assumptions in the region ofinterest.