Researchers from the National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB) from the Comodoro Rivadavia and Esquel campuses, members of CONICET, participated in an unprecedented discovery in South America, based on the discovery of the bone remains of a dog (Canis familiaris). with clear signs of having been used as a pack animal by the people who inhabited Central Patagonia in the 17th century.
This dog, which the researchers named “Huachen” (after Hugo Giménez Agüero’s well-known milonga referring to a dog), provided new clues regarding nomadic, hunter-gatherer peoples and the relationship they had with dogs in the past.
It is presumed that Huachen’s life and role in the community was one of cooperation and mutual benefit. In times when all everyday objects were transported by people and the use of horses was not yet widespread in Patagonia; Dogs, like Huachen, helped with the load during trips or routes taken by the settlers, while in exchange they received care, protection and food.
The discovery occurred in the summer of 2022, during the archaeological campaign carried out southeast of Lake Colhué Huapi, in the province of Chubut, by a team from various institutions, within the framework of several research projects. In that place the team of scientists located the skeleton of the animal that had been exposed as a result of constant erosion and strong Patagonian winds. The skeletal remains of Huachen were the subject of multiple studies.
Osteological analyzes determined that it was a male specimen, between two and three years old; medium size (52 cm) and about 19 kg; who lived in a community of ancient settlers who used to use it to carry objects; a practice that had repercussions on the thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebrae.
This archaeological find is particularly relevant because it has no precedent in South America, although there are records of this type in North America, Europe and Asia.
Each discovery is an approach to understanding the complex web of human and animal life on earth. And in this case, it shows us how a dog, which lived in Central Patagonia in the 17th century, left its mark on the history of humanity.
Members of the scientific team
This research – which was recently published in the prestigious international journal Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports – was carried out by a scientific team made up of Drs. Leandro Zilio (CONICET; UNPSJB;IDEAus-CENPAT), Heidi Hammond (CONICET; UNPSJB; IDEAus-CENPAT), Santiago Peralta González (UNPSJB; IDEAus-CENPAT), María Laura Parolin (CONICET; IDEAus-CENPAT), Alejandro Montes (CONICET ; CODIC; ICPA-UNTDF), Silvina Mariela Ocampo (UNPSJB) and Julián Eduardo Moreno (CONICET; UNPSJB; IDEAus-CENPAT), within the framework of the project “Archaeology of hunter-gatherers in the lower part of Sarmiento (Sarmiento, Chubut)” ( UNPSJB – PI 1576) directed by Dr. E. Moreno; and the projects “Processes of cultural and biological change in Indigenous populations of Central Patagonia: case studies” (PUE IDEAus-CENPAT, 229-201801-00012-CO), and “Paleoenvironmental evolution of the lower Sarmiento from the lateglacial to the current events based on the study of lake, river and wind sediments” (ICPA-UNTDF, PICT 03309 ANPCyT).
