Virginia McRostie

Bio: Virginia McRostie is an academic researcher from Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. The author has contributed to research in topics: Geography & Population. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 14 publications receiving 221 citations. Previous affiliations of Virginia McRostie include University of Chile.

The pre-Columbian introduction and dispersal of Algarrobo (Prosopis, Section Algarobia) in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile

Abstract: Archaeological and palaeoecological studies throughout the Americas have documented widespread landscape and environmental transformation during the pre-Columbian era. The highly dynamic Formative (or Neolithic) period in northern Chile (ca. 3700-1550 yr BP) brought about the local establishment of agriculture, introduction of new crops (maize, quinoa, manioc, beans, etc.) along with a major population increase, new emergent villages and technological innovations. Even trees such as the Algarrobos (Prosopis section Algarobia) may have been part of this transformation. Here, we provide evidence that these species were not native to the Atacama Desert of Chile (18-27°S), appearing only in the late Holocene and most likely due to human actions. We assembled a database composed of 41 taxon specific AMS radiocarbon dates from archaeobotanical and palaeoecological records (rodent middens, leaf litter deposits), as well an extensive bibliographical review comprising archaeobotanical, paleoecological, phylogenetic and taxonomic data to evaluate the chronology of introduction and dispersal of these trees. Although Algarrobos could have appeared as early as 4200 yr BP in northernmost Chile, they only became common throughout the Atacama over a thousand years later, during and after the Formative period. Cultural and natural factors likely contributed to its spread and consolidation as a major silvicultural resource.

Sitio el plomo y nuevos registros de cultígenos iniciales en cazadores del arcaico iv en alto maipo, chile central new evidence on the use of initial cultigens by the hunter- gatherer groups of the archaic iv period at el plomo, alto maipo, central chile

Abstract: Nuevas investigaciones arqueologicas en la cordillera andina de Chile central demuestran que cazadores recolectores del periodo Arcaico IV incorporaron el conocimiento y uso de cultigenos iniciales a su sistema de subsistencia. En el sitio El Plomo (3.460 a 3.340 anos cal. a.p.) localizado a 2.070 metros de altitud, se reitera el hallazgo de frutos de Chenopodium (cf. Chenopodium quinoa) carbonizados ademas de otros Chenopodium en estado desecado que tambien presentan rasgos de domesticacion. Los estudios morfologicos efectuados en estos ultimos con el apoyo de especialistas sugieren que sus tamanos, entre 0,8 a 1 mm de diametro, muestran similitudes con Chenopodium pallidicaule o canihua, o corresponderian a una variedad temprana de quinoa. La ausencia de testa, entre otras caracteristicas diagnosticas en estos frutos, hace dificil determinar su identidad con suficiente certeza. Esta problematica abre una nueva linea de discusion acerca de la domesticacion de Chenopodium en Chile central. Se plantea ademas el aprovechamiento de otros recursos vegetales, que no han sido particularmente considerados como alimentos en el registro arqueologico de ocupaciones de cazadores recolectores tardios en esta region. El sector de Alto Maipo en la cordillera de Chile central se propone como un umbral ecologico cultural donde ocurre tempranamente una importante innovacion en el sistema basico de subsistencia de cazadores recolectores del periodo Arcaico. Palabras claves: cazadores recolectores, Arcaico final, cultigenos iniciales, Chenopodium, alta cordillera, Chile central. Recent archaeological research in the Andean highlands of Central Chile provides evidence that hunter-gatherers of the Archaic IV period incorporated knowledge and use of initial cultigens into their subsistence system. At the archaeological site of El Plomo (3,460-3,340 years cal BP), located at 2,070 m above sea level, charred and desiccated small fruits of Chenopodium (cf. Chenopodium quinoa), ranging from 0,8 to 1mm in diameter, have been documented. Morphological analyses performed on the desiccated fruits suggest that their sizes parallel those of Chenopodium pallidicaule or canihua, or correspond to an early variety of quinoa. The absence of testa or other diagnostic characteristics of these fruits makes any secure species identification difficult. This new finding opens a new line in the discussion of Chenopodium domestication in Central Chile. Additionally, we propose that other plant resources that had not been considered as foodstuffs by scholars in previous studies were used by the late huntergatherers in this region. The Alto Maipo location in Central Chile is suggested to have been an ecological and cultural threshold where hunter-gatherers of the Archaic IV period introduced a significant innovation into their basic subsistence system.

Sitio el plomo y nuevos registros de cultígenos iniciales en cazadores del arcaico iv en alto maipo, chile central

Abstract: Nuevas investigaciones arqueologicas en la cordillera andina de Chile central demuestran que cazadores recolectores del periodo Arcaico IV incorporaron el conocimiento y uso de cultigenos iniciales a su sistema de subsistencia. En el sitio El Plomo (3.460 a 3.340 anos cal. a.p.) localizado a 2.070 metros de altitud, se reitera el hallazgo de frutos de Chenopodium (cf. Chenopodium quinoa) carbonizados ademas de otros Chenopodium en estado desecado que tambien presentan rasgos de domesticacion. Los estudios morfologicos efectuados en estos ultimos con el apoyo de especialistas sugieren que sus tamanos, entre 0,8 a 1 mm de diametro, muestran similitudes con Chenopodium pallidicaule o canihua, o corresponderian a una variedad temprana de quinoa. La ausencia de testa, entre otras caracteristicas diagnosticas en estos frutos, hace dificil determinar su identidad con suficiente certeza. Esta problematica abre una nueva linea de discusion acerca de la domesticacion de Chenopodium en Chile central. Se plantea ademas el aprovechamiento de otros recursos vegetales, que no han sido particularmente considerados como alimentos en el registro arqueologico de ocupaciones de cazadores recolectores tardios en esta region. El sector de Alto Maipo en la cordillera de Chile central se propone como un umbral ecologico cultural donde ocurre tempranamente una importante innovacion en el sistema basico de subsistencia de cazadores recolectores del periodo Arcaico

Defining the Anthropocene

Abstract: Time is divided by geologists according to marked shifts in Earth's state. Recent global environmental changes suggest that Earth may have entered a new human-dominated geological epoch, the Anthropocene. Here we review the historical genesis of the idea and assess anthropogenic signatures in the geological record against the formal requirements for the recognition of a new epoch. The evidence suggests that of the various proposed dates two do appear to conform to the criteria to mark the beginning of the Anthropocene: 1610 and 1964. The formal establishment of an Anthropocene Epoch would mark a fundamental change in the relationship between humans and the Earth system.

The Origin And Evolution Of Cultures

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Worldwide Evaluations of Quinoa: Preliminary Results from Post International Year of Quinoa FAO Projects in Nine Countries

Abstract: Chenopodium quinoa Willd., a high quality grain crop, is resistant to abiotic stresses (drought, cold, and salt) and offers an optimal source of protein. Quinoa represents a symbol of crop genetic diversity across the Andean region. In recent years, this crop has undergone a major expansion outside its countries of origin. The activities carried out within the framework of the International Year of Quinoa provided a great contribution to raise awareness on the multiple benefits of quinoa as well as to its wider cultivation at the global level. FAO is actively involved in promoting and evaluating the cultivation of quinoa in 26 countries outside the Andean region with the aim to strengthen food and nutrition security. The main goal of this research is to evaluate the adaptability of selected quinoa genotypes under different environments outside the Andean region. This paper presents the preliminary results from nine countries. Field evaluations were conducted during 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 in Asia (Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), and the Near East and North African countries (Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Mauritania, and Yemen). In each country, the trials were carried out in different locations that globally represent the diversity of 19 agrarian systems under different agro-ecological conditions. Twenty-one genotypes of quinoa were tested using the same experimental protocol in all locations consisting in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Some genotypes showed higher yields and the Q18 and Q12 landraces displayed greater adaptation than others to new environmental conditions. The Q21 and Q26 landraces were evaluated with stable and satisfactory levels of yield (>1 t.ha(-1)) in each of the different trial sites. This production stability is of considerable importance especially under climate change uncertainty. While these results suggest that this Andean crop is able to grow in many different environments, social, and cultural considerations remain crucial regarding its possible introduction as a staple food in new cropping systems around the world.

Understanding the Application Life Cycle

Abstract: Every time you create an iOS project, it will likely include at least two .swift files: ViewController.swift and AppDelegate.swift. A ViewController.swift file connects to a scene in a storyboard and lets you write code that manages the user interface. Each time you add another view controller scene to the storyboard, you’ll likely need another ViewController.swift file (under a different name) to manage any user interface objects such as buttons, text fields, or switches.