Possible Fishing Structures on the West Coast of San Matías Gulf, Río Negro, Patagonia Argentina

ABSTRACTSystematic archaeological studies carried out in the San Matias Gulf area for over 10 years show an intensive fishing signal, one of the most prominent of the Patagonian Atlantic coast. These fishing activities were dated from ca. 6000 to 400 BP. We detect at least three rocky structures in the muddy estuarine coast of Islote Lobos archaeological locality. Because of their location and appearance, these rock alignments resemble stone weirs or fish traps like those recorded worldwide. The findings reported here are of great relevance because no other similar devices were detected on the continental coast of Patagonia Argentina to date.