Recognition of post-harvest processing of algarrobo (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosopis</Emphasis> spp.) as food from two sites of Northwestern Argentina: an ethnobotanical and experimental approach for desiccated macroremains

Ethnobotanical and experimental approaches were used to: (a) analyse modern Prosopis (algarrobo) food production at the Hualfin valley (Catamarca Province, Argentina) in order to establish food production and processing patterns; and (b) characterise the qualitative and quantitative morphological attributes of the food products and residues that may reach the archaeological record as macrobotanical remains. These approaches were applied to the study of archaeobotanical remains from two archaeological sites from the Argentinean Northwest (Huachichocana and Puente del Diablo). It was concluded that the analysis of Prosopis macrobotanical remains potentially allows the identification of intermediate and final products, by-products and residues of different food/drink preparations. Patay (bread) is the only final product that can be confirmed, but only if the bread itself is recovered. The other algarrobo preparations are jam and beverages and therefore do not leave records. The proportions of fragmented seeds, seeds with fissured testas and endocarps may indicate the production of unrefined and refined flour. Añapa (beverage) and aloja (alcoholic beverage) residues are characterised mainly by a rolling or folding of the epicarp or testa (also by the loosening of the testa). Aloja can be distinguished from añapa only if certain processes, such as the use of hot water and the chewing of the pods, were used, which produced diagnostic characteristics such as thick black patinas on endocarps or heavily twisted fine threads of epicarp fibres. Arrope (syrup) residues are identified by the presence of closed endocarps with thin black patinas and twisted ribbons of epicarp. Flour- and aloja-making were recognised from Huachichocana III contexts and añapa and flour production at Puente del Diablo.     

Site formation processes in relation to surface bone assemblages in the Fuegian steppe (Tierra del Fuego,Argentina)

The archaeological record of the northern steppe in Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) is characterized by the occurrence of concentrations of archaeological material at the ground surface, coming from gullies and deflation hollows related to shallow lake coastal environments. This particular distribution becomes a challenge concerning the study of site formation processes, particularly in relation to the burial and exhumation of archaeological materials. Bone assemblages coming from three archaeological contexts (Tres Marías, Amalia 4 and Arturo 1) are analysed here, pointing to the features, damage and stability or movements that reveal their taphonomic histories. Geomorphological landscapes vary from each site, being represented by deflation hollows close to shallow lakes as well as gullies originating from the coast itself. The faunal assemblages are mostly dominated by Lama guanicoe bones. Variability in taxonomic composition, weathering profiles, mobility and stability of materials, as well as evidence of anthropic modifications, among other records, demonstrate the existence of different depositional events. The high variability observed suggests that several pre- and post-depositional processes were involved; thus, it results in complex taphonomic histories and low integrity that make their interpretation difficult in terms of human activities.     

A Methodology for the Evaluation of Hygrometric and Mechanical Properties of Consolidated Stones

Several authors agree that stone surface consolidation works should not significantly alter original mechanical and hygrometric properties of the stones in order to avoid differential stress between the consolidated and non-consolidated parts. Specific limitedly destructive methodologies have been developed for assessing the variation in both mechanical and hygrometric properties, but they require preliminary calibration procedures that are very costly to adopt in terms of both time and money. This research study describes an analytical and experimental procedure aimed at obtaining the necessary hygrometric and mechanical characterization of natural and/or artificial stone, before and after consolidation works, by simply assessing the variation in the distribution of the porous structure.     

The origins of agriculture in North-West Africa: macro-botanical remains from Epipalaeolithic and Early Neolithic levels of Ifri Oudadane (Morocco)

This research aims to shed light on the early stages of agricultural development in Northern Africa through the analysis of the rich macro-botanical assemblages obtained from Ifri Oudadane, an Epipalaeolithic–Early Neolithic site from North-East Morocco. Results indicate the presence of domesticated plants, cereals (Hordeum vulgare, Triticum monococcum/dicoccum, Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum/durum) and pulses (Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum) in the Early Neolithic. One lentil has been dated to 7611 ± 37 cal BP representing the oldest direct date of a domesticated plant seed in Morocco and, by extension, in North Africa. Similarities in both radiocarbon dates and crop assemblages from Early Neolithic sites in Northern Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula suggest a simultaneous East to West maritime spread of agriculture along the shores of the Western Mediterranean. Wild plants were abundantly collected in both the Epipalaeolithic and the Early Neolithic periods pointing to the important role of these resources during the two periods. In addition to fruits and seeds that could have been consumed by both humans and domesticated animals, fragments of esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima) rhizomes have been identified. This is a western Mediterranean native plant that may have been used as a source of fibres for basketry.     

Recent Advances in Mixtec Archaeology

Current research in the Mixteca region of Mexico has revealed that Formative communities were as populous as in other Mesoamerican regions. Evidence of emerging social complexity is associated with the use of and access to luxury items of foreign style and/or manufacture. Research efforts draw from indigenous models to interpret data and investigate urbanism. Regional and environmental approaches, household studies, and ethnohistory are integrated to study ethnic diversity and the complex history of human occupation. The politics associated with cultural resource management and community archaeology in the Mixteca also are discussed.     

Reflexiones en torno al teatro en la producción crítica de Alberdi y Sarmiento

This article examines the important role played by Juan B. Alberdi's and Domingo F. Sarmiento's literary articles in advancing the modern nationalist discourse in Argentina. I argue that in their performance reviews, these two men of letters advocated for the formation of a national theater in an effort to promote a national cultural expression.