Archeology

Argentina has major fossil deposits. Although many of these belong to the laying of the Paleozoic Epoch (before the dinosaurs) and others to the Cenozoic (after the dinosaurs), many of its deposits in fact belong to the Mesozoic Epoch (of the dinosaurs). Their bone remains were found along through the National territory, although most of these finding were done in the Patagonian and in different zones of the Andean Mountain ranges, and mainly in the central part - San Juan, La Rioja.
In different regions, nature contributed to preserve them in sedimentary deposits.
Remains of these giants of the sea can be visited in Olsacher Museum in Zapala city and an Ictiosaur of over four meters in length exhibited in the Argentinean Museum of Natural Sciences in Buenos Aires.
The best represented period is no doubt the Cretaceous Epoch. (138 to 63 million years).
Still to the west of Neuquén in the zone of China Muerta river, dinosaurs of the lower period of the Cretaceous have been collected as the remains of the formidable thorny sauropods Amargasaurus and Augustinian and the tiny carnivorous Ligabueino, which was smaller than a chicken.
In the pre-mountain range mainly in San Luis area, fossils of dinosaurs and flying reptiles have been found who shared their habitat.
In these latter years, two almost complete once articulate skeletons of arcosaurs, unknown up to the moment were found; two carnivorous samples in between 1 and 1,20 meters of length which are added to what is known of the varied prehistoric fauna of the zone on the waterline of a small brook. The group of the Arcosaurs includes reptiles such as the dinosaurs, (flying) pterosaurs, and crocodiles, the only current survivors, but quadrupeds.

Pre-Columbian Cultures

Since early cultures of (Alamito, Tafí, Condorhuasi, Candelaria, Ciénaga) passing along the middle period (Aguada, San José, Sunchituyoc) during the development of the regional cultures or tardy period (Belén, Santa María, Averías) and afterwards under the dominance of the Incan Realm, in Argentina, the following cultures succeeded.
· 400 b.c To 700 a.c - Condorhuasi
· 400 b.c to 700 a.c - Ciénaga : Before the Aguada
· 650 b.c to 850 a.c - Aguada : They receive the influence of Tiawanacu culture (Bolivia) and later on they form part of the southern province of Tawantinsuyu of the Incas, Collayusu.
· 700 b.c to 900 a.c - Sunchituyoc : Together with Averías, they belong to Chaco - Santiagueña culture.
· 900 to 1200 a.c - San José.
· 1200 to 1500 a.c - Averías.
· 1000 to 1470 a.c - Santa María