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Evidence for cultivar adoption and emerging complexity during the mid-Holocene in the La Plata basin

Author

Listed:
  • José Iriarte

    (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

  • Irene Holst

    (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

  • Oscar Marozzi

    (Departamento de Antropología, Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación)

  • Claudia Listopad

    (Florida Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Sciences)

  • Eduardo Alonso

    (Universidad de la República)

  • Andrés Rinderknecht

    (Museos Nacionales de Historia Natural y Antropología)

  • Juan Montaña

    (Universidad de la República)

Abstract

Multidisciplinary investigations at the Los Ajos archaeological mound complex in the wetlands of southeastern Uruguay challenge the traditional view that the La Plata basin was inhabited by simple groups of hunters and gatherers for much of the pre-Hispanic era1,2,3,4. Here we report new archaeological, palaeoecological and botanical data indicating that during an increasingly drier mid-Holocene, at around 4,190 radiocarbon (14C) years before present (bp), Los Ajos became a permanent circular plaza village, and its inhabitants adopted the earliest cultivars known in southern South America. The architectural plan of Los Ajos during the following Ceramic Mound Period (around 3,000–500 14C yr bp) is similar to, but earlier than, settlement patterns demonstrated in Amazonia5,6,7,8,9,10, revealing a new and independent architectural tradition for South America.

Suggested Citation

  • José Iriarte & Irene Holst & Oscar Marozzi & Claudia Listopad & Eduardo Alonso & Andrés Rinderknecht & Juan Montaña, 2004. "Evidence for cultivar adoption and emerging complexity during the mid-Holocene in the La Plata basin," Nature, Nature, vol. 432(7017), pages 614-617, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:432:y:2004:i:7017:d:10.1038_nature02983
    DOI: 10.1038/nature02983
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    Cited by:

    1. Mercedes Rivas & Juan Martín Dabezies & Laura del Puerto, 2023. "Historical Evolution and Multidimensional Characterisation of the Butia Palm Landscape: A Comprehensive Conservation Approach," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-22, March.

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