Type of Opportunity: Field School
Where: Santa Cruz, Argentina
When: October 01, 2004 - December 31, 2005, one 10 day course workshop per month
Cost: US$ 640
Contact Information: Rafael Paunero at Universidad Nacional de La Plata
Paseo del Bosque s/n
La Plata, Buenos Aries 1900
Argentina
Email: info@arqueologialamaria.com.ar
Web site: http://www.arqueologialamaria.com.ar/
The Universidad Nacional de La Plata is continuing its monthly field school course at La María Ranch in Santa Cruz. The aim of this field course is to teach students about the present problems of the archaeology of Patagonia while learning basic methodologies of archaeology in this area. This goal will be accomplished through classes and field practices including tours, archaeological survey, rock art survey, map analysis, excavation, lithic flaking experimentation, and painting techniques.
La Mara Ranch is located within the archaeological locality of Estancia La María, including about 22 hectares of land. This location is approximately 150 kilometers away from the city of Puerto San Julián, Santa Cruz. La Mara Ranch is rich in rock art dating from the late Pleistocene to recent times.
Field work at La María Ranch has been ongoing since 1982. During that time, preliminary surveys and excavations of several of the 12 sectors have been completed. So far, 84 caves and rock shelters with accompanying rock art have been discovered. Motifs of this art include hand and footprints (in negative and positive); animal scenes (depicting guanacos,choiques, felines or foxes); and abstract geometrics such as circles, knots, zigzags, and lines. These polychromic scenes are rather unique as they contain a wide array of colour (red, yellow, black, gray, white, rose, violet, and blue) and stand from 3 cm up to 70 cm in height.
Another interesting aspect of this site is the large number of prehistoric surface sites, quarries, and lithic workshops that have been investigated. Much lithic material has been uncovered in these areas. Furthermore, several species of extinct camelid have been identified in the faunal assemblage of these sites.
No experience or special qualifications are required to join this field school. Cost for the ten day course, food, lodging, and all teaching materials is $640. Transportation to and from Santa Cruz before and after the course are not included in these fees.
Accommodation during the course will be in cabins. All participants are required to provide his or her own sleeping bag.
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