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First identification of plant remains in earthen architecture of Argentina: constructive and domestic archaeological data from early colonial contexts (16th and 17th centuries)

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Abstract

This paper analyses, from an archaeological and ethnobotanical perspective, the botanical remains recovered from earthen architecture of Ibatín and Esteco I/II sites, ruins of the first cities established and depopulated in North-western Argentina along the Spanish advance during the 16th and 17th centuries. Sampling procedure, processing of the sediments and identification of botanical macro and microremains, predominantly opal silica phytoliths, were carried out on the basis of standard methodology to identify botanical remains. Diatoms and microcharcoals were also recorded. Additionally, ethnobotanical research was conducted in order to obtain data from local inhabitants related to traditional earth construction techniques and vegetable fibres used in the process. The integration of the results obtained from both approaches allowed us to generate some proposals regarding the techniques for obtaining and using the plants used in the construction activity and associated practices in the region during the colonial period.

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Fig. 1
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(modified from Rivet 2009: p 179). a map showing provenience of M1-M4 samples and 1 Cabildo (colonial town hall), 2–5 churches; A indicates housing enclosures from which carporemains were recovered. b mudbrick from which M1 was obtained

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Acknowledgements

To Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de la República Argentina, Florencia Borsella, Diego Gobbo for the map, Inhabitants of El Shincal & Purmamarca, Anonymous reviewers, the VHA copy editor John Daniell.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Arqueología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas CONICET - Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

    Vanina Castillón, María Laura López & Aylen Capparelli

  2. Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas CONICET - Universidad Nacional de La Plata, HiTePAC, La Plata, Argentina

    Ana Igareta

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  1. Vanina Castillón
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  2. María Laura López
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  4. Aylen Capparelli
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Correspondence to Aylen Capparelli.

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Castillón, V., López, M.L., Igareta, A. et al. First identification of plant remains in earthen architecture of Argentina: constructive and domestic archaeological data from early colonial contexts (16th and 17th centuries). Veget Hist Archaeobot 33, 131–146 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-023-00962-w

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