Skip to main content
  • Article
  • Published:

Possible Holocene excursion of the Earth’s magnetic field in southern South America: New records from archaeological sites in Argentina

Abstract

Palaeomagnetic studies were carried out in several archaeological and palaeontological sites across Argentina and Chile. Remanence directions far removed from the present magnetic field, probably corresponding to a field excursion were recorded in several stratigraphic sections spaning 11 to 2 ky bp. Detailed palaeomagnetic data from 235 cores obtained in six sections from archaeological sites in Argentina are reported. Stability of the NRM was analyzed by progressive thermal and alternating field demagnetization and ChRM directions determined in most cases. Computed VGPs from those directions tend to be concentrated over North America, Europe, Eastern Asia and Africa. Using 275 VGPs a palaeomagnetic pole that is 20° apart from the Earth’s rotation’s axis was obtained.

References

  • Bayarski, A., A. Monti, and M. A. Gonzalez, Sedimentología del Alero Pinstoscayoc 1. Departamento Humahuaca, Jujuy, MS, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogue, S. W., Reversals of opinion, Nature, 351, 445–446, 1991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bogue, S. W. and R. T. Merrill, The character of the field during geomagnetic reversals, Annu. Rev. Earth Sci., 20, 181–219, 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borrero, L. A., La extinción de la megafauna en Patagonia, Ans. Inst. Pat. Ser. Cs. Hs., 25, 89–102, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R. F., Paleomagnetism: Magnetic Domains to Geologic Terranes, 319 pp., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Cambridge, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creer, K. M. and J. S. Kopper, Palaeomagnetic dating of paintings in Tito Bustillo Cave, Science, 186, 348–350, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elwood, B. B., An archeomagnetic measurement of the age and sedimentation rate of climax cave sediments, southwest Georgia, Am. J. Science, 271, 304–310, 1971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eugenio, E., Geoarqueología de Cueva Las Buitreras (Provincia de Santa Cruz, Argentina), Præhistoria, 3, 1997 (in press).

  • Hernández Llosas, M. I., H. Alem, M. P. Falchi, M. Gavilán, H. Knauth, J. B. León, P. Masci, G. Scarafia, D. Tamburini, and D. Vainstub, Proyecto arqueológico Pintoscayoc. Departamento de Humahuaca, Provincia de Jujuy, Rev. Mus. Hist. Nat. S. Raf. (Mendoza), XIV (1/4), 160–162, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyodo, M., C. Itota, and K. Yaskawa, Geomagnetic secular variation from magnetizations of wide-diameter cores of Holocene sediments in Japan, J. Geomag. Geoelectr., 45, 669–696, 1993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirschvink, J. L., The least-squares line and plane and the analysis of palaeo-magnetic data, Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc., 62, 699–718, 1980.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kopper, J. S. and K. M. Creer, Cova dest Alexanderes, Majorca. Palaeo-magnetic dating and archaeological interpretation of its sediments, Caves and Karst. Res. Speleol., 15 (2), 13–20, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kopper, J. S. and K. M. Creer, Palaeomagnetic dating and stratigraphic interpretation in archaeology, MASCA Newsletter (Philadelphia), 12 (1), 1–4, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langereis, C. G., A. A. M. van Hoof, and P. Rochette, Longitudinal confinement of geomagnetic reversal paths as a possible sedimentary artefact, Nature, 358, 228–230, 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langereis, C. G., M. J. Dekkers, G. J. de Lange, M. Paterne, and P. J. M. van Santvoort, Magnetostratigraphy and astronomical calibration of the last 1.1 Myr from an eastern Mediterranean piston core and dating of short events in the Brunhes, Geophys. J. Int., 129, 75–94, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovlie, R. and A. Sandness, Palaeomagnetic excursions recorded in mid-Weischselian Cave sediments from Skjonghelleren, Valderoy, W. Norway, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter., 45, 337–348, 1987.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McElhinny, M. W., B. J. J. Embleton, and P. Wellman, A synthesis of Australian cenozoic palaeomagnetic results, Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc., 36, 141–151, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merrill, R. T. and M. W. McElhinny, The Earth’s Magnetic Field. Its History, Origin and Planetary Perspective, 401 pp., Academic Press, New York, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nabel, P., Alcances y limitaciones del paleomagnetismo en el estudio de sedimentos Holocenos: Dos ejemplos, in Résumenes expandidos. Simposio Internacional sobre el Holoceno en America del Sur (INQUA-CADINQUA), edited by M. H. Iriondo and C. Ceruti, pp. 178–181, Museo de Ciencias Naturales "Profesor A. Serrano", Paraná, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nabel, P. and A. Spiegelman, Caracterización paleomagética y sedimentológica en sedimentos de la plataforma continental externa, provincia de Buenos Aires, Actas. Seg. Jor. Geol. Bon., 307–316, 1988.

  • Nami, H. G., Informe sobre la segunda y tercera expedición en la Cueva del Medio. Perspectivas arqueológicas para la Patagonia Austral, Ans. Inst. Pat. Ser. Cs. Hs., 17, 71–105, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nami, H. G., Excursiones geomagnéticas y arqueología: Nuevos datos y perspectivas en la Patagonia, Rev. Mus. Hist. Nat. S. Raf. (Mendoza), XIII (1/4), 362–367, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nami, H. G., Holocene geomagnetic excursion at Mylodon Cave, Ultima Esperanza, Chile, J. Geomag. Geoelectr., 47, 1325–1332, 1995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nami, H. G., New assessments of early human occupations in the southern cone, in Prehistoric Mongoloid Dispersals, edited by T. Akazawa and E. J. Szathmáry, pp. 254–269, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nami, H. G. and T. Nakamura, Cronología radiocarbónica con AMS sobre muestras de hueso procedentes del sitio Cueva del Medio (Ultima Esperanza, Chile), Ans. Inst. Pat. Ser. Cs. Hs., 23, 125–133, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nami, H. G. and A. M. Sinito, Preliminary paleomagnetic results, the Campo Cerda Rockshelter, Province of Chubut, Argentina, Quat. South Am. Antarc. Penninsula, 9, 141–151, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nami, H. G. and A. M. Sinito, Evidence of a possible excursion of the geomagnetic field registered during the late Holocene in the Province of Chubut, Argentina, Geoacta, 20, 19–26, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nami, H. G., A. M. Sinito, and C. Gogorza, Primeros resultados de los estudios paleomanéticos en sedimentos de Cueva del Medio (Ultima Esperanza, Chile), Ans. Inst. Pat. Ser. Cs. Hs., 23, 135–142, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nami, H. G., A. M. Sinito, and C. Gogorza, Observaciones paleomagnéticas en el sitio arqueológico Puerto Segundo (Misiones, Argentina), Pesquisas, Ser. Ant., 1998 (in press).

  • Nöel, M. and L. Thistlewood, Developments in Cave Sediments Palaeomagnetism. Geomagnetism and Palaeomagnetism, edited by F. J. Lowes, D. W. Collinson, J. H. Pary, S. K. Runcorn, D. C. Tozer, and A. Soward, pp. 91–106, Kluwer Academic Publisher, Dordrecht, 1989.

  • Papmarinopoulous, S. and K. Creer, The Palaeomagnetism of Cave Sediments. Geomagnetism of Backed Clays and Recent Sediments, edited by K. M. Creer, P. Tucholka, and C. E. Bartom, Elsevier, 1983.

  • Parés, J. M. and A. Pérez-González, Palaeomagnetic age for hominid fossils at Atapuerca archaeological site, Spain, Science, 269, 830–832, 1995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prieto, A., Cazadores Tempranos y Tardíos en Cueva del Lago Sofía 1, Ans. Inst. Pat. Ser. Cs. Soc., 20, 75–96, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quideller, X. and J. P. Valet, Geomagnetic changes across the last reversal recorded in lava flows from La Palma, Canary Islands, J. Geophys. Res., 101, 13,755–13,773, 1996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez, J. A., Arqueología del Sudeste de Sud América, in Prehistoria de Sudamérica. Nuevas Perspectivas, edited by B. Meggers, pp. 177–209, Taraxatum, Washington, D.C., 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanguinetti de Bórmida, A. C., Excavaciones prehistóricas en la cueva de Las Buitreras, Santa Cruz, Argentina, Rel. Soc. Arg. Ant. (Buenos Aires), X, 271–292, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanguinetti de Bórmida, A. C. and D. Curzio, Excavaciones arqueológicas en el sitio Piedra del Aguila 11, Præhistoria (Buenos Aires), 2, 43–100, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxon, E., La Prehistoria de Fuego-Patagonia: Colonización de un hábitat marginal, Ans. Inst. Pat., 7, 63–73, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scasso, R. A., Estudio sedimentológico de la cueva Las Buitreras, Provincia de Santa Cruz, Præhistoria, 3, 1997 (in press).

  • Schmidt, V. A. and T. C. Partridge, An attempt to establish a magnetostrati-graphic framework for sediments deposited in Sterkfontein Cave, South Africa, EOS, 72, 44, 136, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmitz, P. I., Prehistoric Hunter and Gatherers of Brazil, J. W. Prehistory, 1, 53–126, 1987.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinito, A. M., H. G. Nami, and C. Gogorza, Analysis of palaeomagnetic results from Holocene sediments sampled at archaeological excavations in South America, Quat. South Am. Antarc. Penninsula, 10, 31–44, Balkema, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smorczewski, M., Protocolo de Análisis Físico-Químico, Laboratorio de Análisis de Suelo (INTA), MS, 1994.

  • Tarling, D., Palaeomagnetism, 379 pp., Chapman and Hall, New York, 1983.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Valet, J. P., C. Laj, and P. Tucholka, High-resolution sedimentary record of a geomagnetic reversal, Nature, 322, 27–32, 1986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Hoof, A. A. M. and C. G. Langereis, Reversal records in marine marls and delayed acquisition of remanent magnetization, Nature, 351, 223–225, 1991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zijderveld, J. D. A., AC demagnetization of rocks: Analysis of results, in Methods in Paleomagnetism, edited by D. W. Collinson, K. M. Creer, and S. K. Runcorn, pp. 254–286, Elsevier, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hugo G. Nami.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nami, H.G. Possible Holocene excursion of the Earth’s magnetic field in southern South America: New records from archaeological sites in Argentina. Earth Planet Sp 51, 175–191 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03352222

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03352222

Keywords