SUBSISTENCE IN NAVARINO ISLAND. AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON SPATIAL VARIABILITY IN THE EXPLOITATION OF RESOURCES SOUTH OF THE BEAGLE CHANNEL, CHILE

Abstract

We present the results obtained from the zooarchaeological analysis of 17 test pits located along the northern coast of Navarino Island, a location that does not present studies related to subsistence. In a preliminary way we seek to understand how to relate the micro-environmental variables with the zooarchaeological record, in order to evaluate subsistence from the axis of spatial variation. Environ­mental characteristics associated with the sites are compared with the structure and composition of the zooarchaeological assemblages. In order to do this, measures of taxonomic diversity are used, mainly the evenness and heterogeneity. The results show that some variables were useful while others require more information, so the observed trends should be studied in greater depth in the near future.