Ethnoarchaeological Studies of Coypu Hunters in Argentina

The analysis of diverse archaeofaunal assemblages from the Salado River Depression and the Northeastern part of Buenos Aires province (Buenos Aires pampa, Argentina) led to propose that there had been intensive and integral exploitation of the coypu (Myocastor coypus) by hunter–gatherer–fisher groups during the late Holocene era. An ethnoarchaeological study was therefore proposed to obtain data that could be extrapolated for the interpretation of the material record. It also offered information about some intangible aspects -actions unobservable in the archaeological record- such as social relations, specific vocabulary, and the influence of gender in different stages of the activity. Information was also obtained regarding technology and lanscape, among other topics, by participating in a coypu hunt and conducting interviews of the hunters.