Age and Dentition in archaeological remains of Lama guanicoe: A step-by-step methodology for constructing age profiles in Layer 5 of Intihuasi (Central Argentina) METODOLOGÍA PASO A PASO PARA LA CONSTRUCCIÓN DE PERFILES ETARIOS
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Abstract
This article presents a methodological guide for the age determination of guanaco remains (Lama guanicoe) based on dental eruption and wear chronograms, focusing on its practical utility for zooarchaeological research centered on South American camelids. The analysis procedure is detailed, from the identification of dental pieces to their assignment into specific age categories, highlighting challenges inherent to the fragmentary nature of the archaeological record. This proposal aims to facilitate the construction of age profiles of camelid populations exploited by past human groups, enabling the interpretation of hunting patterns, subsistence strategies, and interactions between humans and their environment, depending on the specific questions and regions of each researcher. The steps required to perform age estimations are illustrated through the detailed example of the archaeofauna from layer 5 of Intihuasi (San Luis, Argentina), even in contexts with limited or highly fragmented samples. The study emphasizes the importance of accessible and systematic tools for those new to zooarchaeology, providing a solid foundation for analyzing archaeofaunal assemblages.
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