Comparing Quantitative Approaches to Osteometry of Andean Camelids from Northwestern Argentina

Identification of wild and domestic camelid species within archaeofaunal assemblages from Northwestern Argentina, or the construction of reliable indicators of taxonomic structure at least, is a central and challenging issue for regional zooarchaeology. Osteometry became the usual method for camelid...

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Autor principal: Belotti López de Medina, Carlos Raúl
Formato: Artículo revista
Lenguaje:Español
Publicado: Centro de Estudios Históricos. UA CONICET 2025
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Acceso en línea:https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/comechingonia/article/view/45644
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Sumario:Identification of wild and domestic camelid species within archaeofaunal assemblages from Northwestern Argentina, or the construction of reliable indicators of taxonomic structure at least, is a central and challenging issue for regional zooarchaeology. Osteometry became the usual method for camelid species identification since the pioneering works of Miller and Kent. This method is based on a purported body-size gradient between Andean Lamini genera and species and the comparison of archaeological measurements against modern specimens from known species. Reviewed literature shows a broad range of quantitative approaches to comparison and classification of archaeological specimens, including univariate, bivariate and multivariate methods. This paper compares these methods applying them to an archaeological sample as to exemplify their usual application and interpretation.