Avances realizados en el análisis de muestras óseas recuperadas del sitio Boca de lega (Santa fe, Argentina) a partir de estudios arqueométricos

Archaeometric studies were carried out involving the application of thermoanalytical techniques and scanning electron microscopy on different bone pieces recovered from the site of Boca de Lega (BL), Province of Santa Fe, Argentina. The osteoarchaeological material recovered from BL exhibits a low mechanical integrity and a superficial morphology promoted from the accumulation of sedimentary deposits, re-deposits and the erosion of fluvial environment. There were also signals of possible thermo-alteration. The first archaeometric studies on the so called BL21 element, allowed us to determine the existence of anthropic actions of past societies. Continuing with these studies in a deeper mode, nowadays, progress was made in the analysis of other bone elements from BL, called BL07, BL26 and BL49, through new archaeometric studies. These involved analytical techniques such as differential thermal analysis, thermogrammetry and scanning electron microscopy with dispersive energy microanalysis. The joint use of these experimental techniques allowed us to identify the high incidence of edaphic components in the samples as well as the record of a heating that was superior to 673K / 400 ° C. By virtue of the results obtained, it was possible to reconfirm the human action as the highly probable original factor of previously observed thermo-alteration.