Impacto de la fauna exótica doméstica en la subsistencia humana en la cuenca superior del río Limay: la evidencia de Casa de Piedra de Ortega (Río Negro, Argentina)

We present the zooarchaeological study of the Casa de Piedra de Ortega site, located in the upper basin of the Limay River (Rio Negro Province, Argentina). We analyze the assemblages coming from the pre-Hispanic component (Period III, 1490 ± 70 C14 BP, immediately before contact), and the post-Hispanic component (Periods IV-V, 280 ± 50 C14 BP). A low incidence of weathering, erosion, and carnivore action was identified indicating good preservation and rapid burial of the assemblages. Most of the remains were deposited by human activities, including the exploitation of native and exotic fauna for feeding and skin use. Throughout the sequence (Periods III to V) Lama guanicoe, Rhea pennata, and Conepatus chinga were exploited, although L. guanicoe was the main resource. In Period IV, Lycalopex griseus, Lycalopex culpaeus, and Chaetophractus villosus were incorporated into the diet. In Period V, the use of Equus caballus, Bos taurus, and mostly of Ovis aries was recorded. Although a taxonomic diversification was observed in posthispanic occupations, there was also an increase in the intensity of L. guanicoe exploitation. This shows that there was no replacement of native fauna exploitation with the arrival of domestic exotic fauna. Information from documentary sources was used to contextualize this research and the results were compared with those from archaeofaunistic analyzes carried out at other archaeological sites in the study area.