What does this research mean for the field?

Dental microwear patterns in Holocene populations of the Argentinean Pampas and Paraná Delta reveal that prehistoric subsistence strategies were shaped by complex interactions between ecological constraints and cultural practices, contradicting expectations of simple environmental determinism or progressive dietary diversification. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate subsistence strategies and dietary variability across ecologically distinct regions among Middle-to-Late Holocene human populations.

September 2, 2026American Journal of Biological AnthropologyOpen Access

Dental Microwear Evidence of Holocene Dietary Variability in the Argentinian Pampas and Paraná Delta

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Authors

MCMaria Rita Guedes Carvalho PMPablo G. Messineo MRMaría Agustina Ramos van Raap

Discussion

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Overview

Dental microwear analysis reveals dietary variability and complexity in Middle-to-Late Holocene populations, indicating that cultural practices and social hierarchy shaped prehistoric diets.

Key Points

To evaluate subsistence strategies and dietary variability across ecologically distinct regions among Middle-to-Late Holocene human populations.
Examined occlusal molar microwear textures of human skeletal remains from 12 archaeological sites across three ecological zones: Upper Delta of the Paraná River, Central Pampas, and lower Colorado River Valley.
Quantified surface texture parameters, specifically mean complexity (Asfc) and mean scale-sensitive heterogeneity (Hasfc81).
Upper Delta individuals exhibited elevated dietary heterogeneity (Hasfc81) alongside unexpectedly high mean complexity (Asfc), surpassing values observed in semi-arid zones.
Significant intra-site texture variation occurred at Los Tres Cerros 1 in the Paraná Delta, reflecting unequal food access potentially linked to social stratification.
Middle Holocene individuals at Arroyo Seco 2 in the Central Pampas showed greater dietary heterogeneity than both contemporaneous and Late Holocene sites, contradicting assumptions of progressive dietary diversification over time.

Cite This Study

Carvalho et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e28dc562ede874ec6ac5 https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70330

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September 2, 2026American Journal of Biological AnthropologyOpen Access

Dental Microwear Evidence of Holocene Dietary Variability in the Argentinian Pampas and Paraná Delta

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MCMaria Rita Guedes Carvalho PMPablo G. Messineo MRMaría Agustina Ramos van Raap

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Dental microwear analysis reveals dietary variability and complexity in Middle-to-Late Holocene populations, indicating that cultural practices and social hierarchy shaped prehistoric diets.

Key Points

To evaluate subsistence strategies and dietary variability across ecologically distinct regions among Middle-to-Late Holocene human populations.
Examined occlusal molar microwear textures of human skeletal remains from 12 archaeological sites across three ecological zones: Upper Delta of the Paraná River, Central Pampas, and lower Colorado River Valley.
Quantified surface texture parameters, specifically mean complexity (Asfc) and mean scale-sensitive heterogeneity (Hasfc81).
Upper Delta individuals exhibited elevated dietary heterogeneity (Hasfc81) alongside unexpectedly high mean complexity (Asfc), surpassing values observed in semi-arid zones.
Significant intra-site texture variation occurred at Los Tres Cerros 1 in the Paraná Delta, reflecting unequal food access potentially linked to social stratification.
Middle Holocene individuals at Arroyo Seco 2 in the Central Pampas showed greater dietary heterogeneity than both contemporaneous and Late Holocene sites, contradicting assumptions of progressive dietary diversification over time.

Cite This Study

Carvalho et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e28dc562ede874ec6ac5 https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70330

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