The dog of Los Chonos: First pre-Hispanic record in western Patagonia (~43° to 47°S, Chile)

Abstract

In recent years, numerous archaeological remains of dogs (Canis familiaris) have been found in the Southern Cone of South America. In Patagonia, the pre-Hispanic record was limited to the northeast. This article presents dog specimens recovered at archaeological site GUA-010 Conchal located in the western Patagonian channels of Chile. Their presence is related to hunter-gatherers showing marked marine adaptations. This study defines their chronology, characterizes them morphologically and morphometrically, estimates their body mass and age, and investigates their possible social roles. Our analyses indicates that the remains correspond to a pre-Hispanic dog dated at 870 ± 20 years 14C bp (769–684 cal bp), thereby expanding the known geographic range of the species prior to European colonization. The dog was an adult animal, and its body size was approximately 3–4 kg, which represents the smallest individual recorded in the Southern Cone. Body size is consistent with the reports in ethnohistorical record, which indicated the use of dog fur as clothing and possibly its help in fishing. Archaeological evidence suggests that its function as a food source is unlikely.