STONE STRUCTURES AND RECENT ANTHROPIC IMPACT ON LIEBRES ISLAND (PUNTA MEDANOSA ARCHAEOLOGICAL LOCALITY, NORTH COAST OF SANTA CRUZ)

Abstract

A longitudinal study is presented based on the comparison of four surveys carried out on isla Liebres, at the archaeological locality of Punta Medanosa in the north coast of Santa Cruz (Patagonia Argentina). The comparison between surveys separated by more than 17 years allows us to highlight that this island was used by hunter gatherers almost exclusively for chenque type burials during final late Holocene. These stone structures are heterogeneously distributed within the island, with a clear spatial structuration on a small beach, which permits to consider that it was a persistent place for burial. On the other hand, in the last surveys new structures were identified -not previously registered- which indicates that the island has begun to be used for recreational purposes. Among these new structures there are stone fences and ovens, which are associated with significant contamination, mainly composed of garbage (glass and plastic bottles, cans, metals, bags, etc.), and the alteration and modification of some chenques, which results in an important and increasing impact on the archaeological record of this island.