South American camelid bone structural density: what are we measuring? Comments on data sets, values, their interpretation and application

Bone mineral data are used in archaeology to evaluate density mediated attrition or differential preservation of archaeofaunas. For South American camelids, there are different data sets of bone mineral content. To evaluate their utility, these data sets were applied to the analysis of density mediated destruction of five archaeofaunal assemblages from Formative Period archaeological sites in the southern Calchaquíes valleys (Catamarca, Argentina) in order to evaluate interpretations achieved as an 'end user'. Both inter- and intra-bone element density related survivorship analyses are made, concluding that for fine grain studies more complete data sets and specific analysis are required.