A woman buried in Argentina in the Ancient South America era
The Laguna Toro site, situated in the hinterlands of what is now modern-day Argentina, offers a fascinating glimpse into the Indigenous cultures of South America around 2400 years ago. This period is marked by a variety of cultural and technological developments that were influenced by both environmental factors and interactions with neighboring groups.
Geographic and Environmental Context
Laguna Toro is located in a region characterized by diverse ecosystems, including Andean foothills, wetlands, and forested areas. This geographical diversity provided a rich bounty of natural resources that could be exploited for subsistence. The climate at the time would have been suitable for a range of plants and animals, supporting both hunting and rudimentary forms of agriculture.
Subsistence and Economy
Around 2400 BP, inhabitants of the Laguna Toro area were largely engaged in a mixed subsistence economy. This included hunting, gathering, and the nascent development of agricultural practices. The local fauna, such as guanacos and various bird species, were hunted using sophisticated tools made from bone and stone. Gathering would have focused on native plant species such as tubers, seeds, and berries.
Agriculture was in its early stages, with evidence suggesting the cultivation of maize and possibly other crops suited to the climate and soil of the region. This period might have seen the transition from purely nomadic lifestyles to semi-sedentary communities, fostering more permanent settlements near arable land.
Social Structure and Organization
Social structures during this period were likely kin-based, with clans or extended family groups forming the basic units of society. Leadership may have been based on age, wisdom, or prowess in hunting and gathering, though specific hierarchies were likely fluid. Emerging sedentism suggests an increasing complexity in social organization, potentially laying the groundwork for more stratified societies in subsequent centuries.
Tools and Technology
The Laguna Toro site demonstrates a range of technological expertise, particularly in tool-making. Stone tools, such as projectile points, scrapers, and knives, were crafted using local materials. This period also saw advancements in pottery, with clay vessels being used for storage and cooking. These technological developments facilitated more efficient food processing and storage, allowing communities to thrive in their environment.
Cultural and Religious Practices
Cultural practices during this era were likely tied closely to the natural world. Animistic religious beliefs may have been prevalent, with a deep respect for the environment and its resources. Artifacts such as carved stone figures or symbols inscribed on pottery might indicate ritualistic or ceremonial activities, suggesting a spiritual dimension to daily life.
The Laguna Toro region would have featured seasonal gatherings for trade, social reinforcement, and ceremonial purposes, potentially involving neighboring groups. These interactions could lead to a syncretism of beliefs, technology, and practices, enriching the local culture.
Archaeological Evidence and Interpretation
The archaeological record at Laguna Toro offers rich evidence of these practices. Excavations have uncovered remnants of dwellings, hearths, and storage pits, painting a picture of daily life. Analysis of floral and faunal remains provides insight into diet and subsistence, while pottery shards and tool fragments reveal technological prowess.
Studies suggest that the Laguna Toro site exhibits a broad array of cultural influences, indicating both local innovation and the movement of ideas and goods across regions. This period stands as a transformative stage in the pre-Columbian history of Argentina, setting the stage for future societal developments that would occur in the centuries to come.
In summary, the Laguna Toro site 2400 years ago embodies a pivotal moment of adaptation and innovation within indigenous cultures of South America. It reflects a delicate balance between tradition and transformation, underpinning the resilience and ingenuity of early agrarian societies.
Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (I12376) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.
Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (I12376) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles modern populations from different geographic regions.
These results complement the ancient ancestry components shown in the previous section, offering a different perspective on the individual's genetic profile by comparing it with modern reference populations rather than prehistoric ancestral groups.
The G25 coordinates for the sample I12376 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.
I12376,0.05623282,-0.31603512,0.11002064,0.09783302,-0.11215108,-0.01007128,-0.29944922,-0.35272674,-0.01489386,-0.016479,-0.0001212,-0.00050668,-0.00114974,0.02481,-0.00587986,0.00076312,0.0061135,0.00362714,0.0008999,-0.0020608,-0.00128024,0.007955,-0.00299624,-0.00438078,-0.00509507
Ancient genomes in South Patagonia reveal population movements associated with technological shifts and geography
Archaeological research documents major technological shifts among people who have lived in the southern tip of South America (South Patagonia) during the last thirteen millennia, including the development of marine-based economies and changes in tools and raw materials. It has been proposed that movements of people spreading culture and technology propelled some of these shifts, but these hypotheses have not been tested with ancient DNA. Here we report genome-wide data from 20 ancient individuals, and co-analyze it with previously reported data. We reveal that immigration does not explain the appearance of marine adaptations in South Patagonia. We describe partial genetic continuity since ~6600 BP and two later gene flows correlated with technological changes: one between 4700-2000 BP that affected primarily marine-based groups, and a later one impacting all <2000 BP groups. From ~2200-1200 BP, mixture among neighbors resulted in a cline correlated to geographic ordering along the coast.