Early Archaic funerary practice from the Acha-3 site and its relationship to Chinchorro: Hunters, fishers, and gatherers on the northern coast of Chile

Standen, VG.; Santoro, CM.

Abstract

Funerary remains of an Early Archaic coastal population in northernmost Chile have diagnostic features that support a local development and origin for the Chinchorro tradition. These remains are from Acha-3, a site 5.4 km from the coastline at the confluence of the Acha ravine and Azapa valley. Findings from Acha-3 (a) define funerary, technological, and economic patterns for the Early Archaic (9,000-8,000 B.C.) with strong Chinchorro tradition connections, (b) demonstrate a subsistence strategy adapted to the marine ecosystem by means of associated bioarchaeological data, and (c) identify the oldest funerary site known for the lowlands of the south-central Andes. Two radiocarbon dates place Acha-3 at the end of the Early Archaic period and link it, culturally as well as chronologically, to Acha-2, a campsite. A burial at Acha-3 contains three individuals wearing headbands fabricated from camelid and plant fibers. The bodies were wrapped with camelid and sea lion skins and decorated plant fiber mats in an elaborate funerary bundle, with few offerings. Although there are no signs of artificial mummification, the clear intention to straighten and stiffen the bodies in elaborate funerary bundles, the multiple extended inhumations, and the associated cultural elements suggest that Acha-3 treatments were local precursors to Chinchorro funerary practices. Copyright© 2004 by the Society for American Archaeology.

Más información

Título según WOS: Early Archaic funerary practice from the Acha-3 site and its relationship to Chinchorro: Hunters, fishers, and gatherers on the northern coast of Chile
Título según SCOPUS: Early archaic funerary pattern from Acha-3 site and its relation to Chinchorro: Fisher-hunters and gatherers from the northern coast of Chile [Patrón funerario arcaico temprano del sitio Acha-3 y su relación con Chinchorro: Cazadores, pescadores y recolectores de la costa norte de Chile]
Título de la Revista: LATIN AMERICAN ANTIQUITY
Volumen: 15
Número: 1
Editorial: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
Fecha de publicación: 2004
Página de inicio: 89
Página final: 109
Idioma: Spanish
URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4141565?origin=crossref
DOI:

10.2307/4141565

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS