POBLAMIENTOS INICIALES EN LA COSTA SEPTENTRIONAL DE LA ARAUCANíA (6.500-2.000 a.p.)

the studies we have carried out over the last decade in the denominated "higromorphic chilean coast" (llagostera 1989:76-77), suggest us the presence of maritime hunter and gathering groups in a continuous sequence that extends between the 6,500 and the 2,000 a.p. (quiroz et al. 1998, quiroz y sánchez 1999, quiroz et al. 2000). the mastering of the sailing techniques (vásquez 1994) allowed them a high mobility all over the araucanian southern coast (vásquez 1997) and the successful colonization of the insular environments near the coast, such as quiriquina, santa maría and mocha islands (quiroz y sánchez 1997). in this paper we present the data (and some orientations and ideas to explain or to interpret) gather on the earliest occupations, both in the araucanian coasts and the islands