Lessonia nigrescens (Phaeophyceae) in a Tiahuanaco-Atacameño cemetery, Pisagua (Max Uhle's Collection)

Abstract

The present work report the finding and the taxonomic identification of a biological sample constituted by five chunks tied in the form of small bales of macroalgae. This sample was found as part of the funeral apparel inhuman bony remains from the cemetery Tiahuanaco-Atacameño ( 800 to 1300 a.P.) of the Max Uhle's collection of Pisagua. This collection is housed in the MNHN of Santiago. The taxonomic analysis of the vegetable material was made in base to the external morphology of the plant and to the internal anatomy of the thallus. The results of this analysis permit-ted to identify the biological sample as the macroscopic algae Lessonia nigrescens Bory, Vulgarly called "chascón". To the date, it is unknown the possible cultural meaning that these algae could have had for the coastal aboriginess population of the North of Chile.