An experimental ethnoarchaeology and analytical approach to fire-related management strategies in a hunter–fisher–gatherer society from the southern tip of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina)

ABSTRACT This paper presents a synthetic overview of the results of a multidisciplinary approach –archaeological, experimental and ethnographic – that provides new insights into the fire-related management strategies (from firewood procurement to fire use and cleaning activities) adopted by Yamana groups. We bring to the fore the significance of recent results from a chemical, GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS analysis of combustion residues recovered from Túnel VII and Lanashuaia I, two shell-midden excavated in the framework of several Spanish-Argentinean, Experimental Ethnoarchaeology projects developed in Tierra del Fuego Island (Argentina). The molecular and fatty acids isotopic composition allow characterizing the different combustion structures from the perspective of intensity or food processing, informing also about post-depositional factors. Results allow for a critical evaluation of ethnographic sources and thus of direct observation.