This article presents the results of the zooarchaeological and taphonomic analysis of the Cañadón Las Coloradas 1 (CLC1) site, located in Alicurá, in the middle Limay river basin, in a steppic environment of the Río Negro Province (40o35’55.6’’S, 70o45’48.9’’W). The site comprises remnants of human occupations of the Late Holocene, from before 1525 ± 80 14C BP, until recent times. The conservation of bone remains and the impact of natural agents and processes were moderate. The hunter- gatherers that inhabited CLC1 exploited Lama guanicoe (guanaco) for meat and skins, complementing their subsistence by the exploitation of smaller-size species, such as Rhea pennata (lesser rhea) and Chaetophractus villosus (large hairy armadillo). Taphonomic studies point out that the remains of the exotic mammals Ovis aries (sheep) and Lepus europaeus (European hare) do not show evidence of human consumption. The latter species was useful to generate a relative chronology.

The pattern of vertebral degenerative disease (VDD) was recorded in 192 skeletons from mid-19th to early 20th century at the Central Cemetery of Bogotá, Globe B. Archaeological context and historical documentation suggest that people with low socio-economic status were buried in this location. In total, 3,258 vertebrae were examined; osteophytes, joint surface contour change (lipping), and pitting were recorded in vertebral bodies, while joint surface contour change, pitting, and eburnation were observed in apophyseal joints. The disease was regarded present when any of the lesions, excluding pitting, was observed. Two methods of frequency calculation were used: one by individual and the other by vertebra; seventy-six percent of the individuals were classified as positive. High prevalence in young individuals (39.39%) suggests that this population had a strenuous lifestyle since childhood. Pattern differences of lesions found between the sexes, namely the number of affected vertebrae, may be related to different types of activities reported in historical documentation.