Estudio Arqueozoológico en Los Buchillones. Economía y Medio Ambiente

Abstract

Faunal remains recovered in the archaeological site of Los Buchillones were analysed in this study. This archaeological place, located in the northern littoral zone of the province of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, is characterized by the conservation of remains from an agroalfarera community that occupied the area between 1200 and 1600 AD. Archaeological remains from Los Buchillones are buried in anaerobic silts beneath the ocean waters, a depositional environment that has conserved the archaeological remains, including wooden artefacts, in an excellent state of preservation. The zooarchaeological remains examined here have allowed the determination of animal abundance during the period of occupation, both in terms of absolute frequency and diversity of species, as well as the intensity of exploitation of the marine environment. This study also emphasizes the prevalence of fishing and gathering as subsistence practices capable of maintaining this population for almost 400 years.