Abstract

This study presents the results of the bioarchaeological analyses of 36 individuals from the coastal area of Taltal. These results indicate that these individuals had a hunter-gatherer-fisher lifestyle, related to the exploitation and consumption of marine resources. A series of activities performed by these individuals is proposed, based on the presence of articular joint diseases and some markers of occupational stress. Also, evidence of metabolic and infectious diseases is presented. At the same time, comparisons are made with other prehistoric populations with similar lifestyles that inhabited coastal environments in the extreme North and semiarid North of Chile. Finally, some reflections about the study area are presented.