Multiproxy Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction in La Seca River Micro-basin (Santa Elena, Ecuador)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19890492Keywords:
paleoenviroments, Ecuadorian coast, geoarchaeology, phytoliths, Las VegasAbstract
This study reconstructs the paleoenvironmental dynamics of the La Seca micro-basin (Santa Elena, Ecuador) through an integrative geoarchaeological, archaeobotanical, and paleontological approach, aiming to assess the relationship between late Pleistocene–early Holocene environmental conditions and middle Holocene human occupations. Stratigraphic excavations, phytolith and diatom analyses, and the study of marine microfauna (benthic foraminifera, microgastropods) and selachian remains from the Tablazo Formation were conducted.
The evidence suggests a shallow estuarine coastal setting with suboxic muddy substrates and high productivity. The Loma del Muerto site (Site 27) documents a middle Holocene occupation associated with the Late Las Vegas phase, characterized by coquina surfaces, postholes, malacofauna, and a burial dated to 5600 ± 25 BP.
The predominance of Poaceae phytoliths and diatoms indicates humid conditions and increased grass representation, although without conclusive evidence of domestication. Overall, a model of mound-based occupation is proposed, with flexible subsistence strategies integrating estuarine resources and incipient plant management.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Andrés Mosquera Perugachi, Álvaro Mora-Mendoza, Paula Torres, Lorena Merino, María Fernanda Ramírez, Vinicio González, Luis Contreras
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