Bioavailable Strontium, Human Paleogeography, and Migrations in the Southern Andes: A Machine Learning and GIS Approach

The Andes are a unique geological and biogeographic feature of South America. From the perspective human geography, this mountain range provides ready access to highly diverse altitudinally arranged ecosystems. combination geologically ecologically landscape an exceptional context explore potential strontium isotopes track movements people conveyance material culture. Here we develop isotopic bioavailable (87Sr/86Sr) that is applied reconstruct paleogeography across time in southern Argentina Chile (31°–34°S). These results come from macro-regional sampling rodents ( N = 65) plants 26) modern archeological contexts. This “Southern Andean Strontium Transect” extends over 350 km Andes, encompassing main provinces between Pacific coast (Chile) eastern lowlands (Argentina). We follow recently developed approach isoscape construction based on Random Forest regression GIS analysis. Our suggest tightly linked with bedrock geology offers resolved proxy involving levels territories or daily mobility anomalous events disrupt home ranges, such as migration. provide ideal setting approach, since variation rock age composition produces distinctive signatures for each biogeographical region. Finally, apply framework set remains Uspallata Valley Mendoza (Argentina), assess incidence migration key period consolidation agropastoral economies AD 800 1400. application values confirms persistence groups relatively restricted adjacent Precordillera 1500. also identify pulse 1280 1420, shortly preceding Inka conquest. Looking forward, expect converge ongoing efforts America build continental research movement people, animals, artifacts space time.