Túmulo II del Brazo Largo. A contribution to the archaeology of the Paraná Lower Delta

In this paper we present the results of the analysis of the Tumulo II del Brazo Largo collection (Lower Delta of the Parana River), dated circa 750 14C years BP. The archaeofaunal assemblage is dominated by Blastocerus dichotomus, followed by Myocastor coypus, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris and fish. Also, a numerous and diverse carnivore bone assemblage, which shows clear evidences of skinning, was identified. The bone tool collection presents a wide variety of morphological groups and evidences of harpoon heads manufacture sequence were recorded. The ceramic materials are characterized by the predominance of open medium-sized shapes, with straight walls and convex bases. Incising modes and design elements depicted in the pottery are similar to those reported by other authors in the Parana Lower Delta, but in some cases their distribution is wider. The lithic assemblage comprises ground tools with little effort invested in their shaping, recycled broken artefacts and worn-out pieces. The bone, lithic and ceramic technology is similar to that described for other archaeological sites in the Lower Delta. The differences between these sites and Goya-Malabrigo contexts probably reflect the cultural diversity described for the Parana Delta by early sixteenth century historical sources.