Abstract

We identified and analyzed the avian osteofauna Copaca one archaeological site, located in the arid coast of the Second Region of Chile. The sample consisted of 685 fragments taken from nine layers with dating covering a range between 8000-5000 cal. a.p. The results indicate that the assembly of seabirds found on this site currently retains its range in the study area, being dominated by Suliformes Orders, Procellariiformes and Pelecaniformes. The analyzes suggest mainly use Puffinus sp., Pelecanus thagus and Phalacrocorax sp., Identifying a minimum number of individuals of 74 birds. It is also estimated body mass contributed by each taxon usable and determined differential representation appendicular anatomical elements with varying degrees of fractionation and cultural markers, which indicate food gathering and processing artifacts. Our results support the use of seabirds during the middle Holocene in the southwestern coast of South America.