CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 2Archaeology and ancient environmental studiesAmazonian Archaeology and EthnohistoryArchaeology and Natural History

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 61 of the 61 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 64 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Reconstructing pre-Columbian agrarian territorialities in the El Alto-Ancasti mountain range, Eastern NW Argentina

Open access
Gastaldi, Marcos Román, Zuccarelli Freire, Verónica Natalia, Gheco, Lucas, Meléndez, Ana Soledad, Ferreyra, Sofía, Boscatto, Sofía, Egea, Débora, Rodríguez Oviedo, Melisa, Nagel, Antonela, Quesada, Marcos N., Roberts, Patrick, Moreno, Enrique Alejandro·2025·Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology
DOI 10.3389/fearc.2025.1679633
Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the formation of a village landscape during the first millennium CE in the eastern Andes of South America, specifically in El Alto-Ancasti mountain range, Catamarca, Argentina. This landscape was shaped through the articulation of domestic spaces—houses located in elevated areas—productive areas—agricultural terraces in adjacent ravines—and ritual spaces—a distinctive form of rock art—that together reflect a deep understanding of and engagement with the local environment. In doing so, we critically assess previous archaeological and historical narratives that have portrayed these populations as marginal or peripheral to the cultural developments centered in the western valleys. As an alternative, we propose a theoretical and methodological approach grounded in local dynamics, with a particular focus on patterns of land use during this period. Furthermore, our analysis highlights both significant similarities in village landscapes across different ecological zones and important variations within them. These conclusions are supported by results from extensive interdisciplinary field and laboratory research.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Synthesizing 15 years of interdisciplinary fieldwork, this paper argues that the El Alto-Ancasti mountain range of eastern Catamarca, Argentina, was not a marginal frontier or mere resource-procurement zone for the La Aguada polity, but a vibrant village landscape of permanent domestic compounds, extensive agricultural terraces, and engraved rock art during the first millennium CE. The authors propose a "production of the local" framework centered on neighborhood relations among relatively autonomous households.

Key findings

  • More than 1,000 agricultural terraces were identified across both highland grasslands (1,600–2,000 masl) and montane forest (800–1,500 masl), revealing a regional agrarian pattern rather than altitudinally segmented "economic zones."
  • Radiocarbon dates place residential occupations at El Taco 19, Oyola 50, and Oyola 51 synchronously between AD 600 and 800; terrace dates from Oyola suggest the forested productive system began as early as ca. 100 CE and was in full use by ca. 545 CE, implying at least 300 years of landscape construction.
  • Phytolith analysis identified maize (*Zea mays*), cucurbits, legumes (Fabaceae), Cannaceae, and possibly subtropical tubers in terraces of both ecological zones; quartz comprised approximately 96% of analyzed lithic assemblages at both El Taco and Oyola.
  • Over 1,100 painted eaves, shelters, and boulders grouped into 27 sites were recorded; engraved rock art (deep incision, grooves up to 1 cm) was found on open-air flat rocks between terraces and dwellings, unlike painted art in secluded shelters.
  • Paleo-NDVI modeling (HEMO) identified five climatic periods between 442 and 1980 CE; the agrarian landscape reached its greatest extent during the drier phase of 700–1000 CE, not under favorable conditions.

Methods

  • Interdisciplinary synthesis of surveys, stratigraphic excavations, and laboratory analyses conducted over 15 years in two microenvironments: highland grasslands (El Taco, Puesto La Mesada) and montane forest (Oyola, La Candelaria).
  • Excavations at three domestic compounds (El Taco 19, Oyola 50, Oyola 51) with radiocarbon dating (Table 1), plus phytolith, microresidue, lithic, ceramic, and zooarchaeological analyses; rock art documented through archaeometric and spatial studies.
  • Paleoenvironmental reconstruction via the Hindcasting Ecosystems Model (HEMO), using artificial neural networks trained on AVHRR/NOAA NDVI data and dendrochronological series, plus satellite imagery for moisture distribution analysis.

Limitations

  • The authors state that reliable stratigraphic sequences in terrace contexts are difficult to establish, so a detailed chronology of agrarian landscape evolution through the first millennium CE cannot yet be reconstructed; they also note that almost no clear archaeological indicators of occupation prior to 550 CE have been identified, and that the post-1000 CE record is fragmented.
  • The authors call for future work to refine chronology, expand the number of studied sites, develop absolute dating for rock art, and deepen botanical and livestock-forest management analyses.
  • Evident from the text: the paper is largely a synthesis of previously published data (Gastaldi et al., Quesada et al., Zuccarelli Freire et al., etc.), with new findings and an interpretive framework added; the intervisibility figures (each site visible to four others, up to 11) are attributed to prior work (Quesada et al., 2012).

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3389/fearc.2025.1679633

Cites

61 of 61 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

0 of 64 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

Verify all 20 references — free account
  • Findingown data

    In the montane forest, a total of 37 eaves and rock shelters containing rock art were identified and documented.

    “a total of 37 eaves and rock shelters containing rock art were identified and documented.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The village landscape in El Alto-Ancasti was shaped through the articulation of domestic spaces (houses in elevated areas), productive areas (agricultural terraces in adjacent ravines), and ritual spaces (a distinctive form of rock art).

    “This landscape was shaped through the articulation of domestic spaces-houses located in elevated areasproductive areas-agricultural terraces in adjacent ravines-and ritual spacesa distinctive form of rock art”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The rock art contexts identified in El Alto-Ancasti functioned as ritual spaces.
  • Findingcitation

    A previously undocumented village landscape exists in the El Alto-Ancasti area.

    “The discovery-through our research and that of other scholars (Nazar, 2003;Dlugosz, 2005;Gordillo et al., 2017;Eguía, 2019;Taboada and Rodríguez Curletto, 2022)-of a previously undocumented village landscape in the area”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Nazar, 2003

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Dlugosz, 2005

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Gordillo et al., 2017

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Findingcitation

    In the surrounding area beyond the hill where rock shelters are concentrated, a cultural landscape has been identified that closely resembles that of the highland grasslands, characterized by the integration of domestic compounds, agricultural terraces, and a distinct form of rock art.

    “In the surrounding area, a cultural landscape has been identified that closely resembles that of the highland grasslands, characterized by the integration of domestic compounds, agricultural terraces, and a distinct form of rock art”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Gastaldi et al., 2016 source
    • cites Quesada et al., 2016 source
    • cites Zuccarelli Freire et al., 2022 source
  • Findingcitation

    Analysis of recovered material culture enabled characterization of the social practices carried out within these domestic spaces.

    “analysis of the recovered material culture enabled the characterization of the social practices carried out within these domestic spaces”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Ahumada andMoreno, 2015-2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Barot and Gasparotti, 2018

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Egea and Moreno, 2021 source
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 41
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 20

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    One rock shelter, Oyola 7, was excavated, yielding information that enabled interpretation of an occupation pattern marked by alternating periods of greater and lesser activity, without evidence of permanent residential use.

    “one of these rock shelter-Oyola 7was excavated, yielding information that enabled the interpretation of an occupation pattern marked by alternating periods of greater and lesser activity, without evidence of permanent residential use”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Gastaldi et al., 2016 source
    • cites Gheco, 2017

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Gheco et al., 2019 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    Two domestic spaces, Oyola 50 and Oyola 51, have been excavated, revealing occupation dynamics and a chronology comparable to those identified at El Taco 19.

    “Two of these domestic spaces-Oyola 50 and Oyola 51-have been excavated, revealing occupation dynamics and a chronology comparable to those identified at El Taco 19”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Clauss and Egea, 2024 source
    • cites Gastaldi et al., 2023 source
    • cites Quesada et al., 2016 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    One domestic unit, El Taco 19, was excavated, providing insights into patterns of habitation and allowing calibration of its chronology to the second half of the first millennium CE.

    “One of these domestic units (El Taco 19) was excavated, providing valuable insights into patterns of habitation and allowing for the calibration of its chronology to the second half of the first millennium CE (Gastaldi et al., 2023;Quesada et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Gastaldi et al., 2023 source
    • cites Quesada et al., 2012

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    The analysis highlights significant similarities in village landscapes across different ecological zones and important variations within them.

    “our analysis highlights both significant similarities in village landscapes across different ecological zones and important variations within them”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    In El Alto-Ancasti, evidence reveals major investments in agricultural infrastructure, substantial domestic architecture, and in some cases complex ritual spaces associated with productive and domestic areas, within which open-air rock art was engraved.

    “evidence reveals major investments in agricultural infrastructure, the presence of substantial domestic architecture, and, in some cases, the construction of complex ritual spaces associated with productive and domestic areas, within which open-air rock art was engraved”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Egea and Moreno, 2021 source
    • cites Gastaldi et al., 2016 source
    • cites Quesada et al., 2012

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • Rests on an assumption: The rock art contexts identified in El Alto-Ancasti functioned as ritual spaces.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    In El Taco, several domestic compounds were identified in elevated sectors, situated on loessic plains and associated with agricultural terraces located in adjacent ravines.

    “In the case of El Taco, several domestic compounds were identified in elevated sectors, situated on loessic plains and associated with agricultural terraces located in adjacent ravines.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given

    In the highland grassland sector, there is notable intervisibility among sites: on average, each site maintains visual contact with four others, and in some cases, up to 11 are visible.

    “In the highland grassland sector, there is notable intervisibility among sites: on average, each site maintains visual contact with four others, and in some cases, up to 11 are visible.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingreasoning

    The presence of containment dams within these gullies indicates that erosion was already an active process during the pre-Hispanic occupation (ca.600-1000 CE), at a time when the agricultural system was still in use.

    “The presence of containment dams within these gullies indicates that erosion was already an active process during the pre-Hispanic occupation (ca.600-1000 CE), at a time when the agricultural system was still in use.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    More than 1,000 terraces were identified across the El Alto-Ancasti mountain range, extending throughout both forested and highland grassland areas, revealing a regional pattern that spans multiple environments.

    “More than 1,000 terraces were identified across the El Alto-Ancasti mountain range, extending throughout both forested and highland grassland areas, thereby revealing a regional pattern that spans multiple environments.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    At El Taco 19 (ET19), 300 stratigraphic units were recorded and grouped into 10 occupational phases.

    “At El Taco 19 (ET19), situated in the highland grasslands, 300 stratigraphic units were recorded and grouped into 10 occupational phases.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    While environmental diversity did indeed foster heterogeneous productive practices across distinct microenvironments, we observe consistent patterns in the ways these territories were occupied-whether in the highland grasslands of El Taco or the forested zones of Oyola.

    “While environmental diversity did indeed foster heterogeneous productive practices across distinct microenvironments, we observe consistent patterns in the ways these territories were occupied-whether in the highland grasslands of El Taco or the forested zones of Oyola.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    Phytolith analyses revealed a diversity of cultivated crops on these terraces, including maize (Zea mays), cucurbits, legumes (Fabaceae), Cannaceae, and possibly subtropical rhizomes or tubers such as yacón or cassava.

    “Phytolith analyses revealed a diversity of cultivated crops on these terraces, including maize (Zea mays), cucurbits, legumes (Fabaceae), Cannaceae, and possibly subtropical rhizomes or tubers such as yacón or cassava.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Zuccarelli Freire et al., 2022 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingreasoning

    In each microenvironment, similar anthropogenic landscapes were developed, creating heterogeneous productive zones that were not segmented into distinct altitudinal or biome-based bands.

    “In each microenvironment, similar anthropogenic landscapes were developed, creating heterogeneous productive zones that were not segmented into distinct altitudinal or biome-based bands.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingcitation

    Plant microresidues indicate the possible presence of cereals (Zea mays), fruits (Neltuma sp., species of the Fabaceae family), rhizomes (Canna edulis), and wild fibers (Arecaceae), all of which were identified in both the grinding artifacts and the vessel at Oyola 31.

    “Specifically, plant microresidues indicate the possible presence of cereals (Zea mays), fruits (Neltuma sp., species of the Fabaceae family), rhizomes (Canna edulis), and wild fibers (Arecaceae), all of which were identified in both the grinding artifacts and the vessel (Figure 11) (Boscatto and Ferreyra, 2024).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Boscatto and Ferreyra, 2024 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    These groups practiced runoff agriculture adapted to environmental variability, as evidenced at sites such as El Taco 19 in the highland grasslands and Oyola 50 and 51 in the forested zones.

    “These groups practiced runoff agriculture adapted to environmental variability, as evidenced at sites such as El Taco 19 in the highland grasslands and Oyola 50 and 51 in the forested zones.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    From the 15th century onward, the paleo-NDVI models display increasingly pronounced fluctuations, with extreme positive and negative anomalies reflecting heightened climatic variability that persists to the present day.

    “From the 15th century onward, the paleo-NDVI models display increasingly pronounced fluctuations, with extreme positive and negative anomalies reflecting heightened climatic variability that persists to the present day.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given

    These systems incorporated agroforestry practices and camelid husbandry adapted to diverse environments, not solely limited to highland grasslands.

    “These systems incorporated agroforestry practices and camelid husbandry adapted to diverse environments-not solely limited to highland grasslands.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    The earliest period, extending from the beginning of the sequence to approximately 550 CE, displayed high NDVI indices, indicating favorable environmental conditions and increased moisture availability.

    “the earliest period, extending from the beginning of the sequence to approximately 550 CE, displayed high NDVI indices, indicating favorable environmental conditions and increased moisture availability.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    According to preliminary radiocarbon dates from an agricultural terrace in Oyola, the productive system in the forested area may have begun as early as the first centuries of the Common Era (ca. 100 AD) and appears to have been in full use by approximately 545 AD.

    “According to preliminary radiocarbon dates obtained from an agricultural terrace in Oyola, the productive system in the forested area may have begun as early as the first centuries of the Common Era (ca. 100 AD) and appears to have been in full use by approximately 545 AD”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given

    The cross-channel method involved construction of transverse walls spanning entire ravines, with heights adapted to the natural slope; lower sections were filled with gravel and small stones to promote water filtration while allowing sediment to accumulate behind them.

    “This method involved the construction of transverse walls spanning entire ravines, with their heights carefully adapted to the natural slope of the land.The lower sections of these walls were filled with gravel and small stones to promote water filtration while allowing sediment to accumulate behind them.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Phytolith and starch grain analysis of samples from a ceramic vessel and a conana identified taxa including Zea mays, Cactaceae, Arecaceae, Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Bixa orellana, and Anadenanthera colubrina.

    “phytoliths and starch grains present in the samples from the ceramic vessel (A-G) and the conana (H-Q): (A) Globular with perforation, aff.Cactaceae cf.Opuntia sp. according to Korstanje and Babot (2007).(B) Echinate globular, aff.Arecaceae.(C) Circular phytolith of pooid affinity, sooty or heat-altered.(D) Faceted, hollow phytolith related to Fabaceae.(E, G) Cruciform phytoliths, cf.Zea mays.(F)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Korstanje and Babot (2007) source
    • cites Lema et al. (2015) source
    • cites Martín Silva et al. (2016)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingreasoning

    This settlement pattern is based on the construction of domestic units in higher sectors, in contrast to both historical and recent settlement patterns, where domestic units are located in lower areas, closer to the main watercourses, yet with no intervisibility between domestic compounds.

    “This settlement pattern is based on the construction of domestic units in higher sectors, in contrast to both historical and recent settlement patterns, where domestic units are located in lower areas, closer to the main watercourses, yet with no intervisibility between domestic compoundsfoot_2 .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    Previous archaeological and historical narratives have portrayed the populations of El Alto-Ancasti as marginal or peripheral to cultural developments centered in the western valleys.

    “we critically assess previous archaeological and historical narratives that have portrayed these populations as marginal or peripheral to the cultural developments centered in the western valleys”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The eastern slopes have traditionally been conceived as liminal or frontier spaces.

    “The eastern slopes have traditionally been conceived as liminal or frontier spaces (Ventura et al., 2017).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ventura et al., 2017

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    These narratives characterize particular altitudinal contexts or biomes as either productive or liminal, based on environmentally deterministic interpretations of Murra's (1972) model.

    “These characterize particular altitudinal contexts or biomes as either productive or liminal, based on environmentally deterministic interpretations of the model proposed by Murra's (1972).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Murra's (1972)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given

    El Alto-Ancasti mountain range extends approximately 140 km along a north-south axis and is characterized by a remarkable variety of microenvironments along its eastern slopes.

    “It extends approximately 140 km along a north-south axis and is characterized by a remarkable variety of microenvironments along its eastern slopes”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisenone given

    The forests are home to tree species with high nutritional value and notable drought resistance, particularly Fabaceae such as Neltuma spp. and Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil.

    “These forests are home to tree species with high nutritional value and notable drought resistance, particularly members of the Fabaceae family, such as Neltuma spp.and Anadenanthera colubrina var.cebil.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Study design and conductown data

    The conclusions are supported by results from extensive interdisciplinary field and laboratory research.

    “These conclusions are supported by results from extensive interdisciplinary field and laboratory research.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given

    Neltuma produces highly nutritious seeds that can be ground into flour.

    “Neltuma produces highly nutritious seeds that can be ground into flour”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given

    In the study region, there is a significant disconnect between historical Indigenous land use practices and those of contemporary populations, which have largely focused on livestock rearing and monocrop cultivation in deforested lowland areas since the Spanish invasion.

    “In our study region, located on the eastern slopes, there is a significant disconnect between historical Indigenous land use practices and those of contemporary populations, which have largely focused on livestock rearing and monocrop cultivation in deforested lowland areas since the Spanish invasion.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Terraced landscapes beyond the highland and puna zones have long been overlooked, with few historical references prior to the initiation of the authors' systematic surveys over the past decade.

    “Terraced landscapes beyond these zones have long been overlooked, with few historical references (e.g., Ardissone, 1945) prior to the initiation of our systematic surveys over the past decade.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ardissone, 1945

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    Dominant narratives about eastern Andean slope landscapes have largely focused on generalized hypotheses of economic zonation.

    “the dominant narratives constructed about these landscapes have largely focused on generalized hypotheses of”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given

    The region includes highland grasslands between 1,500 and 2,000 meters above sea level, and more humid montane forests between 700 and 1,500 meters, receiving an average of 1,000 mm of rainfall annually under a monsoonal precipitation regime.

    “The region includes highland grasslands situated between 1,500 and 2,000 meters above sea level, as well as more humid montane forests between 700 and 1,500 meters, which receive an average of 1,000 mm of rainfall annually under a monsoonal precipitation regime.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

    Premisecitation

    The local is not a pre-existing condition but a social product-an inherently fragile achievement that must be continuously constructed, nurtured, and maintained through everyday practices and the materiality of lived experience.

    “the local is not a pre-existing condition but a social product-an inherently fragile achievement that must be continuously constructed, nurtured, and maintained through everyday practices and the materiality of lived experience.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Appadurai's (2001)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Neighborhoods are not solely defined by physical space but also by models of social interaction, modes of communication, and the collective imagination in the construction of community.

    “neighborhoods are not solely defined by physical space but also by models of social interaction, modes of communication, and the collective imagination in the construction of community.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Appadurai's (2001)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Various cacti species such as Opuntia spp. and Trichocereus terschekii produce edible fruits and have recognized medicinal and ritual uses.

    “various cacti species, such as Opuntia spp.and Trichocereus terschekii (locally known as Achuma), produce edible fruits and have recognized medicinal and ritual uses (Suárez, 2019).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Suárez, 2019 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    To define 'the local', the paper draws on Appadurai's formulation, in which the local is a relational and contextual quality formed through the dynamic interplay of social immediacy, technologies of social interaction, and contextual relativity.

    “formed through the dynamic interplay of social immediacy, the technologies of social interaction, and contextual relativity”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Appadurai's (2001)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Anadenanthera colubrina yields seeds containing hallucinogenic compounds that have been valued throughout the Andes since ancient times for ritual and medicinal purposes.

    “Anadenanthera colubrina yields seeds containing hallucinogenic compounds that have been valued throughout the Andes since ancient times for ritual and medicinal purposes (Torres et al., 1991;Torres and Repke, 1996).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Torres et al., 1991 source
    • cites Torres and Repke, 1996

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductnone given

    After 1,000 CE, the archaeological record becomes more fragmented, making the nature and continuity of occupation less certain.

    “After 1,000 CE, the archaeological record becomes more fragmented, making the nature and continuity of occupation less certain (see Figure 3).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisenone given

    Agroforestry and llama herding practices are no longer present in the eastern Neotropical forests of northwestern Argentina.

    “practices no longer present in the eastern Neotropical forests of northwestern Argentina”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Moreno et al., 2025 [this research topic] source
    • cites Moreno et al., 2022 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This process facilitated the formation of organic-rich soils suitable for agriculture and suggests a long-term strategy aimed at preserving and enhancing soil resources over time.

    “This process facilitated the formation of organic-rich soils suitable for agriculture and suggests a long-term strategy aimed at preserving and enhancing soil resources over time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Interpretationcitation

    In El Alto-Ancasti, fire may have also served as a preventative measure against uncontrolled wildfires by reducing flammable biomass, as has been observed in Australian Indigenous land management practices.

    “In the context of El Alto-Ancasti, fire may have also served as a preventative measure against uncontrolled wildfires by reducing flammable biomass, as has been observed in Australian Indigenous land management practices (Pyne and Goldammer, 1997;Roberts et al., 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Pyne and Goldammer, 1997 source
    • cites Roberts et al., 2021 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Oyola presents two contrasting forms of rock art embedded in distinct spatial contexts, potentially reflecting different ritual logics.

    “Oyola thus presents two contrasting forms of rock art embedded in distinct spatial contexts, potentially reflecting different ritual logics.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    The Spanish conquest initiated profound transformations in productive activities and land management strategies-changes that ultimately shaped the principal economic systems and landscape configurations still evident today.

    “The Spanish conquest initiated profound transformations in productive activities and land management strategies-changes that ultimately shaped the principal economic systems and landscape configurations still evident today.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Engraved motifs form part of the everyday village landscape and remain visible to inhabitants as they moved through and inhabited the territory.

    “forming part of the everyday village landscape and remaining visible to inhabitants as they moved through and inhabited the territory.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Fire technology is a widespread and long-standing tool for creating and maintaining productive habitats in tropical and subtropical regions.

    “Fire technology is a widespread and long-standing tool for creating and maintaining productive habitats in tropical and subtropical regions (Arroyo-Kalin, 2016;Iriarte et al., 2020;Yost, 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Arroyo-Kalin, 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Iriarte et al., 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Yost, 2008 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationnone given

    Soil enrichment practices may have also included selective pruning of natural vegetation and the continual deposition of organic matter from trees, shrubs, weeds, and crop residues.

    “Soil enrichment practices may have also included selective pruning of natural vegetation and the continual deposition of organic matter from trees, shrubs, weeds, and crop residues”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This system demonstrates that the agricultural infrastructure was subject to gully erosion, which led to soil degradation.

    “This system demonstrates that the agricultural infrastructure was subject to gully erosion, which led to soil degradation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationcitation

    From these initial settlements, the surrounding ravines were progressively terraced, both to expand the area available for cultivation and to protect the loessic esplanades from erosion.

    “From these initial settlements, the surrounding ravines were progressively terraced, both to expand the area available for cultivation and to protect the loessic esplanades from erosion (Figure 4).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Zuccarelli Freire, 2020

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This perspective has enabled a deeper appreciation of the complexity and adaptability of these societies in their interaction with diverse environments, highlighting the uniqueness of the communities that developed within the El Alto-Ancasti mountain range.

    “This perspective has enabled a deeper appreciation of the complexity and adaptability of these societies in their interaction with diverse environments, highlighting the uniqueness of the communities that developed within the El Alto-Ancasti mountain range.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    As seen in contemporary terraced landscapes, these flat surfaces often double as grazing areas, suggesting that South American camelids may have been herded in similar contexts in pre-Columbian times as part of an integrated agro-pastoral system.

    “Additionally, as seen in contemporary terraced landscapes, these flat surfaces often double as grazing areas, suggesting that South American camelids may have been herded in similar contexts in pre-Columbian times as part of an integrated agro-pastoral system.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Present-day moisture distribution patterns and contemporary terraced grazing practices are valid analogues for pre-Columbian conditions.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This pattern indicates that, during droughts, certain areas within the agrarian landscape may have played a critical role in mitigating risk, enabling adaptive production strategies.

    “This pattern indicates that, during droughts, certain areas within the agrarian landscape may have played a critical role in mitigating risk, enabling adaptive production strategies.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Present-day moisture distribution patterns and contemporary terraced grazing practices are valid analogues for pre-Columbian conditions.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The pre-Hispanic communities of El Alto-Ancasti played an active role in shaping and transforming their surroundings, and this was not a marginal frontier but a vibrant, meaningful, and intentionally constructed landscape.

    “Moreover, it underscores their active role in shaping and transforming their surroundings, demonstrating that this was not a marginal frontier but a vibrant, meaningful, and intentionally constructed landscape.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationnone given

    Small-scale llama production appears to have been practiced locally, likely involving the use of native vegetation and the spatial separation of animals from cultivated areas-except during post-harvest periods.

    “In terms of camelid management, small-scale llama production appears to have been practiced locally, likely involving the use of native vegetation and the spatial separation of animals from cultivated areas-except during post-harvest periods.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

    Interpretationnone given

    Adopting an approach centered on understanding local forms of territorial production by pre-Hispanic populations has been fundamental in overcoming the limitations of external and deterministic frameworks traditionally applied to the region.

    “In conclusion, adopting an approach centered on understanding the local forms of territorial production by pre-Hispanic populations has been fundamental in overcoming the limitations of external and deterministic frameworks traditionally applied to the region.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
55 of 55

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The rock art contexts identified in El Alto-Ancasti functioned as ritual spaces.

    “ritual spacesa distinctive form of rock art”
    “complex ritual spaces associated with productive and domestic areas, within which open-air rock art was engraved”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Present-day moisture distribution patterns and contemporary terraced grazing practices are valid analogues for pre-Columbian conditions.

    “Our moisture analysis using satellite data suggests that during wetter periods, moisture distribution and vegetation development become more spatially homogeneous.”
    “as seen in contemporary terraced landscapes, these flat surfaces often double as grazing areas”
2 of 2

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Residential dating extends beyond the stated AD 600-800 range

    Minor

    The paper uses AD 600-800 as the range for the dated residential occupations, but a listed date from El Taco 19 has its principal calibrated range at AD 804-974. The stated range therefore excludes much of the dating evidence used to support contemporaneous occupation.

1 of 1

Citations

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 58

  1. Ahets Etcheberry, 2022, Una propuesta metodológica para acceder a las historias de pintado de Oyola 34 (Catamarca), Cuad. Del Inst. Nacl. Antropol. Pensamiento Latinoam., 9, 1
  2. Ahumada, La escala doméstica y los animales. Tratamiento diferencial de partes esqueletarias y distribución diferencial intra-sitio en El Taco 19 (El Alto-Ancasti, Catamarca), Anal. Arqueol. Etnol, 70, 105
  3. Albeck, 1993, Contribución al estudio de los sistemas agr
  4. Albeck, 1994, Áreas agrícolas y densidad de ocupación prehispánica en la Quebrada de Humahuaca, Avan. Arqueol., 2, 56
  5. Alconini, 2016, Entre la vertiente tropical y los valles.
  6. Appadurai, 2001, La modernidad desbordada. Dimensiones Culturales de la Globalización
  7. Ardissone, 1945, Las Pircas de Ancasti. Contribución al conocimiento de los restos de andenes en el noroeste de la Argentina, GAEA Anal. Soc. Argent. Estud. Geogr., 2, 383
  8. Barot, 2018, Caracterización tecnológica, reconstrucción morfológica y análisis de performance del conjunto de vasijas de El Taco 19 (Sierra de El Alto-Ancasti, Catamarca), Zaranda Ideas, 16, 61
  9. Bethel, 1990, Historia de América Latina
  10. Cruz, 2010, Monte adentro. Aproximaciones sobre la ocupación prehispánica de la serranía de Calilegua (prov. de Jujuy), Intersecc. Antropol., 11, 129
  11. De la Fuente, 1979, Arte rupestre en la región de Ancasti, provincia de Catamarca, Actas J. Arqueol. N.O.A. Antiq., 2, 408
  12. De la Fuente, 1983, Otras manifestaciones de arte rupestre en la región de Ancasti, Provincia de Catamarca
  13. Dlugosz, 2005, Prospecciones arqueológicas en los sitios Los Pedraza y Los Corpitos, Dpto. El Alto, Pcia. de Catamarca
  14. Egea, 2024, Tecnología lítica en el Oriente catamarqueño. El caso de la Sierra de El Alto-Ancasti. Instrumentos y contextos sociales en el primer milenio de la era, Cuad. Inst. Nac. Antropol. Pensamiento Latinoam., 11, 130
  15. Eguía, 2019, La vida en la selva: una aproximación a la estructuración del espacio doméstico en el extremo oriental de Catamarca
  16. Figueroa, 2008, Los sistemas agrícolas del Valle de Ambato, Intersecc. Antropol., 9, 365
  17. Figueroa, 2010, Organización de la producción Agr
  18. Gheco, 2017, El laberinto de las paredes pintadas
  19. González, 1980, Arte precolombino de la Argentina
  20. González, 1998, Cultura La Aguada. Arqueolog
  21. Gordillo, 2007, Sociedades Precolombinas Surandinas. Temporalidad, interacción y dinámica cultural del NOA en el ámbito de los Andes Centro-Sur, 221
  22. Gordillo, 2000, Arte en las Rocas. Arte Rupestre, Menhires y Piedras de Colores en Argentina, 101
  23. Gramajo, 1978, Otros Aportes al Arte Rupestre del Este Catamarqueño, Antiquitas, 12
  24. Korstanje, 2005, La organización del trabajo en torno a la producción de alimentos en sociedades agropastoriles Formativas (Provincia de Catamarca, República Argentina)
  25. Korstanje, 2015, Crónicas Materiales Precolombinas. Arqueolog
  26. Korstanje, 2010, Arqueolog
  27. Kriscautzky, Nuevos aportes en la arqueología del valle de Catamarca, Shincal, 6, 27
  28. Kriscautzky, 1995, Avances en la arqueología del formativo inferior en el valle de Catamarca, Rev. Cie. Técn., 2, 65
  29. Kriscautzky, 1999, Actas del XII Congreso Nacional de Arqueología Argentina, 89
  30. Laguens, 2004, Arqueología de la diferenciación social en el valle de Ambato, Catamarca, Argentina (s. II - VI d.C.): El actualismo como metodología de análisis, Relac. Soc. Arg. Antropol., 137
  31. Lindskoug, 2014, Paleoecología de fuegos en el valle de Ambato (Catamarca), Intersecc. Antropol., 15, 23
  32. Llamazares, Arte rupestre de la cueva La Candelaria, Provincia de Catamarca. Publicaciones Arqueolog
  33. Miguez, 2015, Crónicas Materiales Precolombinas. Arqueología de los primeros poblados del Noroeste Argentino, 405
  34. Mogni, 2015, Biogeografía y florística de los bosques secos estacionales neotropicales (BSEN), Rev. OKARA. Geogr. Debate, 9, 275
  35. Moreno, 2014, Materias primas, instrumentos líticos y prácticas domésticas en las serranías de El Alto- Ancasti, Catamarca, Cuad. Inst. Nac. Antropol. Pensamiento Latinoam. N°2, 2, 141
  36. Moreno, 2019, Cambios y continuidades en las relaciones entre humanos y animales en el este de Catamarca. Una aproximación de larga duración, Cuad. Inst. Nac. Antropol. Pensamiento Latinoam., 7, 191
  37. Nagel, 2022, Transformaciones y continuidades de los paisajes culturales de la Sierra El Alto Ancasti: Siglos XIX y XX
  38. Nazar, 2010, Entre el valle, la sierra y la llanura. Una mirada a la problemática Aguada desde el valle de Catamarca
  39. Nazar, 2003, Relevamiento arqueológico de la zona austral de la Sierra de Ancasti (Provincia de Catamarca)
  40. Núñez Regueiro, 1987, Aproximación al estudio del área pedemontana de Sudamérica, Cuadernos, 12, 130
  41. Ortiz, 2017, “Nuevas evidencias en el estudio de la economía y dieta en poblaciones tempranas de la cuenca del San Francisco (800 a.C−500 d.C.),”, Arqueología de la vertiente oriental Surandina: interacción macro-regional, materialidades, economía y ritualidad, 51
  42. Pantorrilla, 2006, Investigaciones arqueológicas en la zona de Escaba, provincia de Tucumán: asentamientos Condorhuasi y Aguada en las Yungas, Intersecc. Antropol., 7, 235
  43. Pérez Gollán, 1991, La cultura de La Aguada vista desde el Valle de Ambato. Publicaciones del CIFFYH, Arqueol, 46, 157
  44. Pérez Gollán, 1994, El proceso de integración en el Valle de Ambato: complejidad social y sistemas simbólicos, Rumitacana, 1, 33
  45. Pérez Gollán, 1987, Hacia un replanteo de la cultura de La Aguada. Cuad. Inst. Nac, Antropol, 12, 161
  46. Quesada, 2017, Arqueología de la vertiente oriental Surandina: interacción macro-regional, materialidades, economía y ritualidad, 79
  47. Quesada, 2012, Construcción de periferias y producción de lo local en las cumbres de El Alto – Ancasti, Relac Soc. Arg. Antropol., 435
  48. Quiroga Viñas, 2022, Estratigrafía de una vivienda arqueológica de la cuenca media oriental de El Alto-Ancasti (Catamarca, Argentina). La Zaranda de Ideas, Rev. Jóvenes Investig., 20, 67
  49. Segura, 1971, Pictograf
  50. Taboada, 2011, Repensando la arqueología de Santiago del Estero. Construcción y análisis de una problemática, Relac. de la Soc. Arg. de Antropol, 197
  51. Tarragó, 1980, El proceso de agriculturización en el noroeste argentino, zona valliserrana, 181
  52. Todorov, 2007, La conquista de América: el problema del otro
  53. Torres, 1996, “The use of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil by Wichi (Mataco) Shamans of the Chaco Central, Argentina,”, 41
  54. Treacy, 1994, Las chacras de Coporaque. Andenería y riego en el Valle del Colca
  55. Ventura, 2001, “Los últimos mil años en la arqueología de las Yungas,”, Historia Argentina Prehispánica, 447
  56. Ventura, 2017, Arqueolog
  57. Yacobaccio, 2013, La domesticación de los camélidos como proceso de interacción humana y animal, Intersecc. Antropol, 14, 227
  58. Zuccarelli Freire, 2020, Desde las cumbres a las yungas: Las múltiples escalas de las prácticas agrarias prehispánicas en las Sierras de El Alto-Ancasti (Catamarca) durante el primer milenio A.D

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Metadata

Authors
Gastaldi, M. R., Zuccarelli Freire, V. N., Gheco, L., Meléndez, A. S., Ferreyra, S., Boscatto, S., Egea, D., Rodríguez Oviedo, M., Nagel, A., Quesada, M. N., Roberts, P., & Moreno, E. A.
Venue
Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2025-10-21
Volume
4
ISSN
2813-432X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fearc.2025.1679633
OpenAlex
W4415373245
Cited by
2
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 2
FWCI
2.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Repositorio Digital de la UNC (National University of Cordoba) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
  • Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (PIP 11220200100358CO, PICT 2017-, PIP11/265, PICT 2021)
  • Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
  • Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (PICT 2022, PICT 2019-03043, PICT 2017, PICT 2021, PICT 2019, PICT 2017-2589, 2017-2589)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Archeology › Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › Amazonian Archaeology and Ethnohistory
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › Archaeology and Natural History
Keywords
pre-Columbian agriculture, village landscape, Catamarca, eastern Andes, agricultural terraces, rock art, land use patterns, domestic space, ritual space, first millennium AD

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

A language model drew the claims from the paper on 2026-11-10, under version 3 of the claim definition (model deepseek-v4.1-flash, prompt extract-v3).

A second model labelled each claim on 2026-11-10 (model jev-1.13-20260917, definition revision gold-guideline-v0.2).

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review