Patrones dietarios de camélidos y subsistencia humana en la vertiente oriental de la Sierra de Velasco a través del análisis osteométrico y de isótopos estables (δ13C y δ15N)

In order to advance the determination of human subsistence patterns concerning the utilization of camelids and given the absence of direct indicators regarding their exploitation by local village societies, this study focused on osteometric and stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of camelid remains from the eastern slope of the Sierra de Velasco, in the northern region of La Rioja province (Argentina), during the Late Holocene. These combined analyses provided indirect evidence for the interspecific determination of these animals and the economic strategies of ancient local village societies. The elements evaluated were recovered from archaeological sites of various functionalities and situated in different local environments and chronologies. Furthermore, a baseline was established to interpret the isotopic results obtained from faunal samples. The results obtained allowed for the definition of the presence of the llama-guanaco morphotype, although samples were identified that exceeded the measurements corresponding to that group and were associable with llamas. Additionally, two dissimilar trends in the diets of local camelids are observed, indicating differences in the utilization of C3 and C4 plant sources.