Abstract

GOMEZ, Juan Carlos  and  MAGNIN, Lucía. Geomorphologic mapping applied to archaeological studies at Deseado Massif (Patagonia Argentina). Invest. Geog [online]. 2008, n.65, pp.22-37. ISSN 2448-7279.

The present paper presents the following objectives: a) to generate basic reference and thematic cartography using geomatics techniques; b) to use this cartography as a baseline to infer processes of geomorphic modelling; c) to evaluate their implication on visibility, preservation and differential destruction of archaeological remains in different landscape units; and d) to develop a tool for planning further field work, a thematic map which allows to evaluate possible sampling bias into different land forms. This sector of the Deseado Massif has been an object of topographic and geologic studies developed by the Military Geographic Institute (IGM), the Argentinean Mining Geologic Service (SEGEMAR), and miner companies which have developed cartography with different objectives. The available cartographic information in this area is at scales no more detailed than 1:100 000. The basic cartography generated here is 1:50 000 and represents a contribution toward the archaeological investigation in progress in this area, since it provides detailed environmental information useful to study the resources structure in the landscape, as well as the formation processes of archaeological assemblages. Finally, the thematic cartography generated here is useful to evaluate possible sampling bias and to project further fieldwork strategies.

Keywords : Geomorphologic cartography; remote sensing; archaeology; hunter-gatherers; landscape.

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