ABOUT THE CIRCULAR DEPRESSION ORIGIN PLACED ALONG THE TRES ARROYOS TALUS, TIERRA DEL FUEGO

Abstract

From a geoarchaeological frame, this work aims to discuss the origin of some circular depressions placed along the Cerro de los Onas talus, at Tres Arroyos archaeological locality. Previous research proposed that those features could be related with Selk´nam hut imprints, mainly based on their ethnographic description similarities, the results of excavations and vegetation contrasts inside and out of the depressions. However, the present work supports a natural origin of the circular depressions due to the lack of archaeological contrasts (type/ frequency of the record and the magnetic susceptibility signal) in test pits carried out inside and outside the features. Additionally, the presence of depressions without archaeological remains at Tres Arroyos and other localities of the regions also support their natural origin. Indeed, sedimentological and soil micromorphological data do not indicate clear differences between depressions and adjacent areas. It is finally proposed as an alternative hypothesis that the circular depressions could be a consequence of wind deflation in shrub hollows or sheep/ guanaco abandoned grass wallows.