Wood remains from Andean Argentina: The use of Prosopis sp. L. in hut construction

12 Pages·2003·7.3 MB·English

by  Aylen Capparelli

Ethnobiology
/Summer
Spring
2003
WOOD
REMAINS FROM ANDEAN
ARGENTINA: THE
USE
OF HUT
CONSTRUCTION
SE IN
Prosopis
L.
AYLEN NORA
CAPPARELLI/ ZAGORODNX^ BARBARA
and BALE
^Departamento Museo
Cieiitifico de Arqiieologia, de Ciencias Naturales de La
Paseo del Bosque s/n, (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
barcap@zvai/.com.ar
'Laboratorio de Andlisis Cerdmico, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Un
Nacional de La Paseo Bosque La
Plata, del s/n(1900), Plata,
Buenos Argentina
Aires,
norazam@waiLcomMK
[email protected],ar
—
A
ABSTRACT.
wooden
desiccated fragmented post, part of the structure of a
hut, from the archaeological site of Carrizal de Azampay, Department of Helen,
Province of Catamarca, Argentina, was identified and interpreted. The material
was
broken manually and
for the analysis. Transverse, radial, tangential sections
were examined with a stereoscopic and incident light microscope and SEM. The
DC
E
remains were
identified as either Prosopis flexuosa or chilensis (Mol.) L.
common
Stuntz, both of which are species in the study area. This paper confirms
and
the prehistoric use of this genus in construction analyzes the function of the
changes
post as a part of the hut structure. In addition, recent in the utilization
both and
of cultivated native tree species are discussed.
Key Andean wood,
words: region, Argentina, archaeological Prosopis.
—
RESUMEN.
de
EI presente trabajo se basa en la identificacion e interpretaci6n
un de
poste de madera, fragmentado y desecado, perteneciente a la estructura
Azampay
una vivienda, procedente del arqueologico Carrizal de localizado
sitio
ma-
en actual Departamento de Belen, Provincia de Catamarca, Argentina, El
el
examinaron
fue fracturado manualmente en laboratorio. Se las secciones
terial
mismo
con Micros-
transversal, longitudinal tangencial y longitudinal radial del
copio Estereoscopico, de Luz hicidente y Electronico de Barrido. Los fragmentos
DC
fueron como o bien Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) L.
identificados Prosopis flexuosa
Stuntz, especies comunes en area de estudio. El trabajo confirma el uso pre-
el
historico de Prosopis como recurso maderero y analiza la funcion del poste dentro
de estructura de vivienda. Asimismo se discuten, a partir de observaciones
la la
modernos de cambio en modo de uso de este recurso a
procesos
etnograficas, el
partir de incorporacion de especies cultivadas.
la
RESUME.—Ce un fragment desseche
rapport analyse interprete
et
archeologique de Carrizal
venant de structure d'une hutte et trouvd sur le site
la
Argentine Les mor-
de Catamarca,
de Azampay, departement de Belen, province
hnW
rppinv Ha nni Ptp bribes a la main nour Tanalvse. Les sections transversales.
exammees
Nous avan^ons deux
balayage
^l^ctronique a
reoscopique, a lumi&re incidente, et
du
ou bien Prosopis
hypotheses pour ridentificahon de I'esp^ce de bois: s'agit
il
P Ces deux espdces d'arbres
du Stuntz.
DC. ou bien chilensis (Mol.) L.
flexuosa
communes
CAPPARELLI
144 Vol. No.
et al. 23, 1
genre
changements
rutilisation d'especes d'arbres cultiv^es et indigenes.
INTRODUCTION
wood
The interpretation of remains from archaeological important for
sites
is
understanding and plant-human
past plant uses evolutionary processes (see
Smart and Hoffman 1988), as well as for understanding mechanisms of prehistoric
wood
deforestation (Willcox In Argentina, studies of archaeological are
1974).
Heyne
rare; however, they are increasing (see for example Garibotti 1998; 1992;
Rodriguez Roig and Barcena
2000;
1997).
The main work and
goal of this the identification interpretation of a frag-
is
mented wooden from de Azam-
desiccated post the archaeological of Carrizal
site
pay (27''19' south latitude and 67°02' west longitude) and the discussion of the
woody
changes from some
resulting the introduction of exotic species in the area.
—
Azampay
Regional Setting. The site of Carrizal de located a few kilometers
is
modern
from the village of Azampay, in the Department of Belen, Province of
m
Catamarca, Argentina, at an elevation of 2000 The region semiarid and
asl. is
mean
the climate subtropical. The annual temperature 18°C, with a range be-
is
mm,
tween about 9° and 25°C. The average annual precipitation about 300 with
is
summer
mainly
rainfall occurring in Phytogeographically, the area belongs to the
Monte Chaqueno main
Province, Domain, Neotropical Region (Morlans
1985). TTie
communities
shrub steppes
are: 1) of Larrea cuneifolia
Am
&
kendantzii Hieron. ex Griseb. and Senna (Hieron.) H. Irwin Barneby,
rigida
S.
among
others, on alluvial terraces and coUuvial piedmonts found up to an ap-
m
proximate 2200 open
elevation of asl; 2) isolated stretches of forests of Prosopis
flexuosa, Prosopis chilensis and Bulnesia retama (G. ex H) Griseb. along riverbanks
m
and and
wetter areas; grasslands above 2200
3) asl.
From
no
Unfortunately, there paleoclimatic record available for this area.
is
Mercer
had
that three glacial advances occurred
c
which spanned The
5000
the years.
last
5
id 4200 B.R, the second, between 2700 and 2000 and the third one, the
B.P.
ze Age, over the last three centuries. important to note that such neo-
It is
fluctuation has been confirmed elsewhere Andes and northern
in the in the
hemisphere
(Schubert
from
same
climatic
fluctuati(
graphic variation (such
community and
nt to climate changes, or variations in the intensity
Monte
the climate event. Therefore, difficult to hypothesize about
it is
fluctuation from these data. However, the authors agree with DAxitoni
warm
has proposed Gruta Mendoza,
3 for the del Indio, Province of a
and
dry
Spring/Summer
JOURNAL
2003 OF ETHNOBIOLOGY
145
Azampa
de
Carrizal
Speedy Surveying Brunton Compass
1999 Wynvcit and Dohut
F. i,.
—
FIGURE
Geographical and plan de Azampay showing
1. location of the site at Carrizal
the
location of the post remains.
During
Monte would
this period the Phytogeographic Province have reached
its
maximum
size. Then^ between the years 3000 and 2000 B.P, the climate became
cold and Monte
wet, causing the spatial reduction of the to present distribution.
its
The human
climate after 2000 B.R became similar to that of the present day, and
activities began to have an impact on the landscape.
—
The and Ongoing being
Site Archaeological Context, archaeological research is
tlte
km
Azampay
carried out at two closely related sites 3 apart, Carrizal de and
Loma
de los Antiguos. Carrizal de Azampay, in particular, has three habitation
areas piedmont Quebrada
vertically distributed along the south-facing of the El
Carrizal. Ancient are associated with each of these
artificial cultivation terraces
areas. It is thought that this settlement pattern supported extended families of
farmers of the Belen culture during the Regional Developing Period (A.D. 1000-
and Zagorodny Sempe Zagorodny and
1500) (Balesta 1999:271; 1999:250; Balesta
2000).
communal
Habitation Area has two rectangular rooms (Rl and R2) and a
1
stone for grinding (R3) (Figure Radiocarbon dating of charcoal from Rl has
1).
± B.R— range from A.D.
yielded a date of 310 60 '^C years Icr calibrated date
1487 to 1657. Based on the recovered archaeological remains, however, especially
the ceramics, it is thought that A.D. 1487 is the date that best fits this site.
-
CAPPARELLI
No.
146 et al. Vol. 23, 1
R2
directed by Dr. M. C. Sempe in 1981. The non-fragmented portion of the post was
—
cm cm room cm
and sunk
35 long in 20 above the occupation floor of the 15
all
vertically into the occupation floor. The occupation floor was encountered at a
modem
cm
depth ranging between 70 and 90 under the surface. The post was in
a standing position directly on the bedrock of the supported by two large
hill,
m m
was from room,
granite stones. located 4.20 the southern wall of the 2.85
It
m m
from the northern, 2.4 from the western and 2.0 from the eastern. Since
many
fragments of the post were found longitudinally spread along a tw^o-meter
line away from base to the southwest (see Figure at the same depth of the
its 1)
—
—
down
occupation seems that the post during or a few years after
floor, fell
it
occupation, and that gradually decayed over the past 500 years. This post,
it
m
estimated to have been at least 2.35 long, is thought by Zagorodny and Balesta
have supported
(2000) to the roof.
—
Azampay
Although and surrounding
Use Construction in
Traditional Resources.
of
nowadays commonly used
areas the exotic genus Populus sp. L. {alamo, poplar) is
— —
for house construction specifically for roof trusses and beams the native spe-
cies most frequently used are similar to those recorded at the nearby village of
R
by and and
El Shincal Capparelli Raffino (1997): Prosopis chilensis flexuosa {el
O'Don.
drbol), Ziiccagnia punctata Cav. (pupo), Porlieria microplnjlla (Baill.) Desc. et.
and
Lourt. {chucupi), Lithraea molleoides (Veil.) Engl, {molle cordoba) Acacia visco Lor.
Ap
Gris. was expected that the post analyzed here would belong to one
{vised). It
of these taxa.
Today, traditional houses are constructed in one of two ways. Adobe or stone
may
walls be built and the roof then supported by them. The roof is
first, is
which
beams,
generally single pitch, constructed in successive layers as follows:
1)
made and
could be from tree or cactus trunks, 2) twigs or canes, grass, 4) a
3)
mud
made
beaten surface from and water. The second type of house involves
wooden by means and beams Figure
erecting a structure built of posts (see
first,
made
2a). This structure supports the roof. Finally, the walls of adobe, stones or
and d
twigs Figure
are built (see 2b, respectively).
c,
AND
MATERIALS METHODS
The intact portion of the post and the dispersed fragments were recovered
manually and were De-
stored for twenty years at the Archaeological Scientific
Museum
partment La was
of the of Plata. evident that even before excavation
It
the post had begun to decay, as seen by intrusive roots in vessels and evidence
humid La
of fungal attack. After being stored for twenty years in the city of Plata,
had become when The
the post highly fragmented and crumbling
cut.
labile,
weight of the sample was 177 of which 120 g correspond to fragments larger
g,
X X cm cm x cm X cm
than 1 1 3 (one 4.5 wide 3.5 thick 7 long; twelve about
1X1X3
X X X X
3 2 4 cm; twelve about 4 cm; about cm) (see
1.5 1.5 thirty
number
Figure 3a), while the other 57 g correspond to a great of minute frag-
ments.
Three and
planes (transverse, radial, tangential) of the best preserved frag-
Spring/Summer
2003 JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY
147
FIGURE
Hualfin
2.
be
observed
twig
merits were obtained by manual The fragments were examined
fracture. initially
under
a stereoscopic microscope (Iroscope Mod. M2-14T No. 962329), and
for
more
One
detail a reflected light microscope (Union ME-3206) was used. fragment
was SEM SEM
prepared JSM specimen was
for examination in a TIOO. This
Joel
mounted Wood
on metal stubs with synthetic cement, and then coated with gold.
35X
features were photographed ranging from 5000
magnifications to X, ac-
at
cording amount and
to the of structural detail required. Quantitative qualitative
'lAWA
features were described using the List of Microscope Features for Hard-
wood
Identification'' (lAWA 1989). The quantitative values represent an average
of 25 measures, except vessels/mm^ and rays/mm^ that represent an average of
maximum
mean and
5 microscope 4 X. In cases the followed of
fields at all is
minimum
between
values parentheses.
The number
of annual rines of the
most
AppL
methodology proposed by
external following the
ring,
modem
wood was compared with
Finally, ardhaeological
Voucher
Scientific I
Museum
from
treatment
CAPPARELLI
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148 et 23, 1
al.
—
FIGURE
3. General aspect of the best preserved fragments recovered; transverse
a) b)
fragment where annual
section of the largest rings are evident; transverse section dia-
c)
gram showing the 13 annual rings counted.
RESULTS
—
Identification. Prosopis sp. (Section Algarobia, Serie Chilenses). Due to geograph-
ical distribution of tree species of this genus, it is thought that the post could
DC
made
have been from
either Prosopis flexuosa or (MoL)
P. chilensis Stuntz.
(Herbarium
lens of the Department
Scientific
Museum
cular Plants of the
—
Wood
anatomic
Reference Literature. descriptions of these species were published
by Cozzo and Castro
(1951) (1994).
—
Due
Wood
Description. to the fragmentation and poor
preserv^ation of the material
was impossible to decide whether or not had had some
it it processing before
use, such as the sharpening of one of the ends for burying or the removal of
its
The was
bark. diameter of the original trunk estimated have been
to equal or
to
number
larger than 19 cm. The of annual rings of the largest fragment was 13
wood
(Figure 3b and The color of the was brown.
c).
Growth
Transverse section (Figure 4a). ring boimdaries Wood
semi-
distinct.
ring-porous. Vessels mostly solitary (64%) and
in radial multiples two
of (20%),
Spring/Summer JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY
2003
149
commonly
more
frequent wood.
in early Vessels in radial multiples
of three or
8%
four scarce (4% and and more
respectively) frequent wood.
in late Tangential
diameter of vessel lumina 87 (29-194 and density 35 vessels/mm^
(32-44
jx),
)jl
vessels/mm^). Thin-
to thick-walled polygonal outline fibers (lumina/ double wall
=
thickness Diameter lumina Mean
2.4 of fiber 8.2 (4.2-12.7
fiber
jx
fjL).
: fi).
5.1-364.1 Axial parenchyma abundant,
confluent paratracheal
IX).
/mm
30 to 54 cells wide). Straight rays with a frequency of 6 rays
/mm
(5-6 rays
common
and
ray width 42.3 (16.3-88.4 Ray height 24 cells (8-50 cells) and 265.8
)jl |jl).
|jl
(119-460.6 Aggregate
rays present occasionally. Vessels extending
vertically or
jjl).
Mean
partially sinuous. vessel element length 140 (96.6-185.3 Simple
fiber
|x
fx).
Fusiform parenchyma
pits. cells present as well as 2 or 3 cells per parenchyma
chambered parenchyma One
strand. Prismatic
crystals in axial crystal per
cells.
chamber
Radial section (Figure All ray procumbent. Simple perforation
4c). cells plates,
oblique narrower and
in vessels horizontal in larger vessels. Alternate intervessel
and
pits. Size of pits 5 (3-6 Vestured pits vessel wall (Figure 4d).
|x |x).
Figure 5a-d shows and views
Finally, transverse, tangential radial of Prosopis
flexuosa and a detail of the vessel inner wall for reference, and Figure 5e-h shows
same
the
sections for Prosopis chilmsis.
AND
CONCLUSIONS
DISCUSSION
As pods and
described by Pochettino several findings of seeds of
(1985:206),
from northwestern Argentina have demonstrated
Prosopis archaeological of
sites
from
that this genus has been an important food resource 4000 B.P. to the present,
even where was main subsistence However, the
in cases agriculture the activity.
wood
literature mentioning the importance of Prosopis as a construction resource
made
example compilation by Raffino 1990:172-
in the past sparse the
(see for
is
wooden
The work use resource
174). present not only confirms past as a for
its
genus study
structures, but also allows us to infer the past presence of this in the
communities,
area. According to the present-day distribution of plant Prosopis
communities narrow
could have been from riverbank of val-
the
collected either
La
from open surrounding the village of
leys adjacent to the or the forests
site
km
Cienaga, from de Azampay.
10 Carrizal
Modem
growth and age-size relationships of Pro-
studies of tree rings, rates
sopis flexuosa in central-west Argentina (Martijena et al. 1988; Perpifial et al. 1995;
Villagra et 2002) allow us to calculate the values of different related variables,
al.
an
and commercial value of individual
such as diameter of the trunk, age, height,
cm would example,
The estimated age an individual of 19 diameter be, for
tree. for
40 while height would be approximately 4.8 m. Unfortunately, micro-
years,
its
growth genus. There-
and rates of this
regional climatic ecological features affect
On
data from other regions might not be valid. the other
extrapolation of
fore,
show open
hand, data coming from the nearby village of El Shincal that in forests
P
5-7 m, while
both and P can reach a height of chilcnsis
Prosopis flexuosa diilensis
away from
and the
frequent further
of the closed-canopy riverbank forests (less
CAPPARELLI
No.
150 et Vol. 23, 1
al.
^
. *' _
-,^
_r_,TVj"
^..^ff?
*_—-^e
ir
ii
i^i::
._jj
.A^
T
-^J
-El*
liwrnj*
9
(
^J
V*i
1
-
^—
fS
Ill
I
i *
—
FIGURE
4. Archaeological Prosopis sp. (SEM): a) transverse section (TS) showing the bor-
wood wood
der of an annual ring (arrow), early (te) and late semi-ring porosity, axial
(ta),
parenchyma and
paratracheal confluent to bands, deposits in vessels; b) tangential longi-
showing and
tudinal section (TLS) uni- to multiseriate rays crystals (arrow); radial lon-
c)
showing procumbent
gitudinal section (RLS) all cells in rays; d) detail of the vestured layer
and
of the inner vessel wall pits. Scale (white bars): a-c, 200 d, 5
\i; \i.
site than the open forest) reaches a height of 9-10 m. The most useful len
m,
because main
posts of this species is 2 to 3 at this height the trunk
i
two more
branches into or limbs. Posts are usually cut so that a short
lei
the branched end remains, to better support the beam. In addition,
Proso^
wood
hard and durable (even under water) due high
to tannin content
its
(
known modem
These advantages are well and
1994:13). to local people,
known
were also to inhabitants in the past.
where was
from
Judging the location recovered, the post seems
it
t
A
been one of the supports of a longitudinal beam. second post may hav
charcoal
unfortunately
Sempe
not recovered during excavation (see Figure not known which
1). It is
beams. might have been
or however, 7-m
It difficult, to find a
Spring /Summer JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY
2003
151
\W
1
.>^:-
;c
.%
.•'^-
^t'.V
i
)
«
s »
*
*.
\\
ft
^'.'
- i
*
. * .
fl-b
4
k
f..
-^ L
DC
Stiintz
ncuRE fkxwsa
Prosovis
i-d)
RLS.
TLS showing crystals (arrow); c)
5; b)
TLS; RLS; h) detail of the vestui
TS;
e) f) g)
I;
and 200 d and 5
e-g, jx.
\\,
|jl;
CAPPARELLI
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152 et 23, 1
two
trunk for sparming the entire length of the room, but
beam. The
served as a central
cm
was
which
in the post set (15
indicate
would
downward
was by otherwise
the post held in place vertical pressure; it
room
have down. not clear what happened to the roof of this after its
fallen
It is
abandonment. might have been blown by the strong winds characteristic of
off
It
—
wind Ocean
the area mainly the Zonda, a originating in the Pacific that dis-
(When Zonda
charges humidity on the west side of the Andes. the goes
all its
down Andes and comes northwest Argentina, becomes
the east side of the to it
dry and warm, and blows along the valleys in north-south direction at any time
maximum
mean
The
of the year, but especially in spring. velocity registered for
km/h
Zonda 1951-
the 28 [Servdcio Meteorologico Nacional 1969, data collected
is
no
1960]). The post appears to have been fractured at the floor level. There is
was
evidence intentionally broken, so thought that insect or rodent attack
is
it it
example, by Ctenomys in combination with water erosion on the ancient
(for sp.)/
surface, could have caused the fracture.
why
Another question that arises from this work people of this site used
is
and
Prosopis for posts not other species, such as Bulnesia retama, Lithraea moUeoides
or Acacia visco. Possible answers are that while both B. retama and Lithraea are as
hard as Prosopis, the former is a very short tree and the latter is likely to have
grown much away from and
far this A. visco softer than the others less
site. is
than moist
rot-resistant Prosopis in conditions.
There have been changes in the long-term pattern of the management of con-
struction resources associated with the introduction of exotic species in Argentina
Many
during the period A.D. 1800-1900. of them seem to be substitutions rather
than changes in construction methods. For example, the exotic dlamo {PopuJus
sp.)
much
replaced native trees for roof beams. Populus has softer and less durable
wood
than and today generally employed making matches pack-
Prosopis, for or
is
ing boxes (FAO 1980). In Argentina the second most important cultivated
it is
and
between
tree, Pinus sp, Eucalyptus sp. (Politzer 1987). Despite the fact that in
Catamarca Populus is widely used as a field and border tree along irrigation ca-
planting processing in sawmills minimal (IFONA thought
nals, its for is 1985). It is
that the modern uses of Populus could have been expanded because easy to
is
it
grow from grafting twigs and can be planted in small plots. Technological factors
also favor cultivation; is straight, long and easy to work compared with the
its it
hard Europe, throughout wood
Prosopis, In prehistory, Populus needs of
satisfied
wood
with (FAO
farmers regions scarce resources
in 1980). Similar cases of sub-
have been obser\^ed by Johanessen and Hastorf Mantaro
stitution (1990) in the
Valley. In this case cultivated Eucalyptus sp. replaced cultivated indigenous trees
fuel
for
The decrease in Prosopis use could be also related to a diminution in the
availability of this tj^e of wood. Although there seems to be a decline in the use
raw modem
of native forests for material for sawmills (Politzer use of
1987),
wood
and
Prosopis for fuel, charcoal, posts well documented Catamarca
is for
QFONA
The
1985). use of Prosovis could reduce the nativp fnrpcfc ^ r^rnWpm