Abstract
This paper presents the analyses of faunal, ceramic and plant micro-remains from two archaeological sites located in the Trapalcó basin (Río Negro province). These are open-air locations where bone, ceramic, and lithic remains were primarily recorded. The objective of this work is to discuss the functionality of these hunter-gatherer sites by contrasting the results with the expected patterns for residential bases and logistical camps. The conducted studies show the consumption of a wide variety of animal species available in the Northern Patagonian plains. Furthermore, the plant record indicates the consumption of some species transported from the mountain forests, a great distance from the study area. Based on the anatomical patterns of the animal parts present, the taxonomic diversity, and the provenance of the resources, it is proposed that the sites were residential bases for groups with high mobility who seasonally occupied the surroundings of freshwater sources within the basin. The results also show strong connections between this arid region and the mountain forests, and probably with the Negro River valley, revealing extensive ranges of human mobility.