Bedrock mortars, shell middens and rock art: Old excavations and new archaeological findings at Guanaqueros, Coquimbo Region, Chile

Abstract

A recent, directed archaeological survey that took place in Gua­naqueros –requested and accompanied by members of the lo­cal community– produced a record of a series of archaeological sites with diverse characteristics and chronology. Survey results are presented in this article, dealing with the material culture of these contexts and their relationships with known archaeological data of the area. Spatial extension and distri­bution of the evidence show the importance of this location for the settlement of past populations since, at least, the Late Archaic Period (5,000 BP). This relevance is discussed conside­ring the urgency to research this area given the multiple agents that menace the integrity of these contexts and the interest of the communities that intend to signify their archaeological he­ritage. Our results complement previous archaeological information for the area of Guanaqueros, locating them within the long-term processes taking place during the Late Holocene in this portion of the Semiarid North coastal region.