- Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, South America (Archaeology), Polynesian Studies, Pre-Columbian, Inca, Andes, Peru, South America, Archaeology, Anthropology, Hawaii, Polynesian prehistory, Settlement of the Pacific, and 26 morePolynesian Voyaging, Human Evolution, TRANSPACIFIC CONTACTS, POLYNESIA-MAPUCHE CONNECTION, POLYNESIA-MAPUCHE, Polynesians in South America, EASTER ISLAND MANAGEMENT, Anthropology, Environmental Sustainability, Europeos s XVIII en Rapa Nui, Maritime Archaeology, Fish Remains (Zooarchaeology), Easter Island Archaeology, The peopling of the Americas, Archaeozoology, Polynesian Archaeology, Rapa Nui, Teoría Arqueológica, Rock Art (Archaeology), Darwinism, Arqueología, Ichthyology, Easter Island, Pacific Archaeology, Coastal and Island Archaeology, and Chiefdoms (Archaeology)edit
- Archaeologist. Universidad de Chile (1983) Magister en Patrimonio. Universidad de Valparaíso (2016) Museo Sociedad Fo... moreArchaeologist. Universidad de Chile (1983)
Magister en Patrimonio. Universidad de Valparaíso (2016)
Museo Sociedad Fonck, Viña del Mar (Curador, 1981-1992)
Parque Nacional Rapa Nui, Easter Island (Administrador, 1993-1999)
Centro de Estudios Rapa Nui, Universidad de Valparaíso (Director 2001-2014)
Centro de Estudios Avanzados, Universidad de Playa Ancha (2016- )edit
In South American societies, domesticated camelids were of great cultural importance and subject to trade and translocation. South American camelids were even found on remote and hard to reach islands, emphasizing their importance to... more
In South American societies, domesticated camelids were of great cultural importance and subject to trade and translocation. South American camelids were even found on remote and hard to reach islands, emphasizing their importance to historic and prehistoric South American populations. Isla Mocha, a volcanic island 35 km offshore of Central-South Chile, is an example of such an island. When Dutch and Spanish explorers reached the island in the early 17th century, they found that domesticated camelids called " chilihueque " played a major role in the island's society. The origin and taxonomy of these enigmatic camelids is unclear and controversial. This study aims to resolve this controversy through genetic analyses of Isla Mocha camelid remains dating from pre-Columbian to early historic times. A recent archaeological excavation of site P21-3 on Isla Mocha yielded a number of camelid remains. Three complete mitochondrial genomes were successfully recovered and analysed. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that " chilihueque " was a local term for a domesticated guanaco. Results from phylogeographic analyses are consistent with Isla Mocha camelids being sourced from Southern Chilean guanaco populations. Our data highlights the capability of ancient DNA to answer questions about extinct populations which includes species identity, potential translocation events and origins of founding individuals. The translocation of animals to islands has been an important human adaptive strategy even before the development of domestication 1. Live animals are transported for numerous reasons including as future food resources, for their by-products, which can include bones, teeth, fibre, or dung, or for their cultural/spiritual or ritual importance. Often sizable challenges and obstacles had to be overcome to transport larger animals across considerable water gaps, emphasizing the cultural importance of these translocated animals. The enigmatic camelids of Isla Mocha, an island located approximately 35 km off the coast in the Arauco region of South Central Chile, are an example of such a challenging translocation of animals. Isla Mocha has not been connected to the mainland since it rose above sea level during the Pleistocene, and it has no native large land mammals 2,3. The earliest human occupation of the island is dated to about 3500 years ago and evidence of permanent occupation dates from about 1500 years ago 4,5. Archaeological excavations on Isla Mocha have provided a large number of bone artifacts made of large mammal bones such as cetaceans, pinnipeds and camelids. Camelid bones make up the majority of the mammal remains in archaeological sites on the island.
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In South American societies, domesticated camelids were of great cultural importance and subject to trade and translocation. South American camelids were even found on remote and hard to reach islands, emphasizing their importance to... more
In South American societies, domesticated camelids were of great cultural importance and subject to trade and translocation. South American camelids were even found on remote and hard to reach islands, emphasizing their importance to historic and prehistoric South American populations. Isla Mocha, a volcanic island 35 km offshore of Central-South Chile, is an example of such an island. When Dutch and Spanish explorers reached the island in the early 17th century, they found that domesticated camelids called " chilihueque " played a major role in the island's society. The origin and taxonomy of these enigmatic camelids is unclear and controversial. This study aims to resolve this controversy through genetic analyses of Isla Mocha camelid remains dating from pre-Columbian to early historic times. A recent archaeological excavation of site P21-3 on Isla Mocha yielded a number of camelid remains. Three complete mitochondrial genomes were successfully recovered and analysed. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that " chilihueque " was a local term for a domesticated guanaco. Results from phylogeographic analyses are consistent with Isla Mocha camelids being sourced from Southern Chilean guanaco populations. Our data highlights the capability of ancient DNA to answer questions about extinct populations which includes species identity, potential translocation events and origins of founding individuals. The translocation of animals to islands has been an important human adaptive strategy even before the development of domestication 1. Live animals are transported for numerous reasons including as future food resources, for their by-products, which can include bones, teeth, fibre, or dung, or for their cultural/spiritual or ritual importance. Often sizable challenges and obstacles had to be overcome to transport larger animals across considerable water gaps, emphasizing the cultural importance of these translocated animals. The enigmatic camelids of Isla Mocha, an island located approximately 35 km off the coast in the Arauco region of South Central Chile, are an example of such a challenging translocation of animals. Isla Mocha has not been connected to the mainland since it rose above sea level during the Pleistocene, and it has no native large land mammals 2,3. The earliest human occupation of the island is dated to about 3500 years ago and evidence of permanent occupation dates from about 1500 years ago 4,5. Archaeological excavations on Isla Mocha have provided a large number of bone artifacts made of large mammal bones such as cetaceans, pinnipeds and camelids. Camelid bones make up the majority of the mammal remains in archaeological sites on the island.
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Tesis de Magister en Patrimonio: La reconstrucción de la Aldea Ceremonial de Orongo. El dilema de la autenticidad.
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Síntesis del proceso histórico cultural de Rapa Nui, y descripción de las reparaciones realizadas en la plataforma del Ahu Tongariki durante el Proyecto Unesco-Japón (2002-2004)
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Reconstrucción actualizada del derrotero de Juan Ladrillero por los canales de Patagonia Occidental, entre 1557 y 1559. Entre los logros de su olvidado esfuerzo, se cuenta el descubrimiento del Seno Skyring.
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Curaumilla- 1 presents the earliest date for Archaic coastal occupation and marine exploitation in central Chile (8,500 years B.P.). The remains of marine invertebrates from this site at Punta Curaumilla were studied. The number of... more
Curaumilla- 1 presents the earliest date for Archaic coastal occupation and marine exploitation in central Chile (8,500 years B.P.). The remains of marine invertebrates from this site at Punta Curaumilla were studied. The number of present species, minimum number of individuals for 14 species, and mean sizes of two of these species were established. Recent studies have demonstrated that modern shellfish gatherers are important modifiers of rocky-intertidal communities in central Chile. Consequently, we attempt here to define the probable ecological role of past people at Punta Curaumilla as shellfish gatherers. The molluscan species present at Curaumilla-l are much the same as those exploited at present by shellfish gatherers in central Chile. Two pulses of occupation were identified within the Archaic and Early Ceramic periods respectively. During these events it is likely that Precolumbian people may have temporarily or permanently modified sectors of the rocky intertidal at Punta Curaumilla.
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Stone statuary represents the most visible monumental feature of the archaeological record for Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The architectural complex at Ahu Ura Uranga te Mahina on the island's south coast reflects a long, complicated... more
Stone statuary represents the most visible monumental feature of the archaeological record for Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The architectural complex at Ahu Ura Uranga te Mahina on the island's south coast reflects a long, complicated sequence of ahu structural evolution, and the centre shows two large, late-period ahu and four earlier or subsidiary structures. At least seven large stone images originally stood on these structures. This paper reports on the statuary study done as part of the UNESCO-JAPON culture heritage conservation project at this complex. The sequence of statuary development represented at Ura Uranga, as well as to the status of images in court areas of ahu, is analysed from the standpoint of sculptural form and shaping, transport, and ritual meaning. A prone court image preserves some detail about the completeness of images that were being transported from the quarry to ahu, and the set of statues overall indicates some aspects of chronological change in style. The research provides new information about specific sets of statues, their use and transformation at ahu complexes, and changes in the monumental significance of stone images on Rapa Nui.
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Reply to Gongora et al.: Additional data to support the evidence for pre-Columbian chicken in southern Chile with Polynesian DNA
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A description of engraved stone pillows from Rapa Nui (Easter Island). One of them with 2 rongo rongo lines, owned by Dr. Ramon Campbell, and other 8 at the Fonck Museum, Viña del Mar.
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We reviewed the history and conservation of Sophora toromiro, a species that has been extinct in the wild since 1960 but has survived as scattered individuals in botanic gardens and private collections. The short-term conservation of S.... more
We reviewed the history and conservation of Sophora toromiro, a species that has been extinct in
the wild since 1960 but has survived as scattered individuals in botanic gardens and private collections. The
short-term conservation of S. toromiro is dependent on the management of surviving ex situ stocks. This is being
achieved through international collaboration by a working group established to coordinate the conservation
management of the species. Molecular evidence indicates that the species retains greater genetic variability
than expected. The greatest amount of genetic variability was located in specimens outside botanic garden
collections. No unmodified natural habitat survives on Rapa Nui (Easter Island); so opportunities to establish
a viable wild population are limited. Evidence from past reintroductions indicates that the best shortterm
opportunity for the species is through conventional horticultural management in botanic gardens and
traditionalfarm plots on Rapa Nui. Some extinct-in-the-wild taxa (sensu World Conservation Union 1994),
such as the Toromiro, retain genetic variability, and appropriate reintroduction sites exist. These taxa represent
valid priorities for conservation management.
the wild since 1960 but has survived as scattered individuals in botanic gardens and private collections. The
short-term conservation of S. toromiro is dependent on the management of surviving ex situ stocks. This is being
achieved through international collaboration by a working group established to coordinate the conservation
management of the species. Molecular evidence indicates that the species retains greater genetic variability
than expected. The greatest amount of genetic variability was located in specimens outside botanic garden
collections. No unmodified natural habitat survives on Rapa Nui (Easter Island); so opportunities to establish
a viable wild population are limited. Evidence from past reintroductions indicates that the best shortterm
opportunity for the species is through conventional horticultural management in botanic gardens and
traditionalfarm plots on Rapa Nui. Some extinct-in-the-wild taxa (sensu World Conservation Union 1994),
such as the Toromiro, retain genetic variability, and appropriate reintroduction sites exist. These taxa represent
valid priorities for conservation management.
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As part of the Unesco-Japan project for the conservation of the archaeological heritage on Rapa Nui, one site was identified as a major crematorium. The rear wall of the structure had collapsed. This report describes its preliminar... more
As part of the Unesco-Japan project for the conservation of the archaeological heritage on Rapa Nui, one site was identified as a major crematorium. The rear wall of the structure had collapsed. This report describes its preliminar restoration and some special materials recuperated from the fill.
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Research Interests: Archaeology, Medieval History, Zooarchaeology, Diet, Polynesia, and 16 moreChile, Ancient DNA (Archaeology), Gallus gallus, Ancient DNA Research, Multidisciplinary, Pacific Archaeology, Mitochondrial DNA, Humans, Europe, Isotopes, Animals, Polynesian Voyaging, Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology), Radiocarbon Reservoir Effects, Radiometric Dating, and Chickens
Two issues long debated among Pacific and American prehistorians are (i) whether there was a pre-Columbian introduction of chicken (Gallus gallus) to the Americas and (ii) whether Polynesian contact with South America might be identified... more
Two issues long debated among Pacific and American prehistorians are (i) whether there was a pre-Columbian introduction of chicken (Gallus gallus) to the Americas and (ii) whether Polynesian contact with South America might be identified archaeologically, through
the recovery of remains of unquestionable Polynesian origin. We present a radiocarbon date and an ancient DNA sequence from a single chicken bone recovered from the archaeological site of El Arenal-1, on the Arauco Peninsula, Chile. These results not only provide firm evidence for the pre-Columbian introduction of chickens to the Americas, but strongly suggest that it was a Polynesian introduction.
the recovery of remains of unquestionable Polynesian origin. We present a radiocarbon date and an ancient DNA sequence from a single chicken bone recovered from the archaeological site of El Arenal-1, on the Arauco Peninsula, Chile. These results not only provide firm evidence for the pre-Columbian introduction of chickens to the Americas, but strongly suggest that it was a Polynesian introduction.