Prácticas en torno al uso de la leña de plantas introducidas en la ciudad colonial de Mendoza

Resumo

In this paper we propose contribute to the analysis of the use of firewood of plants introduced during colonial period, from both the methodological and interpretative dimension. First, we share descriptions and images of referential taxa, which based on a study of antecedents; we know they were introduced in Mendoza during the colonial period. We specifically analyzed charred wood of quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.), peachtree (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch), tamarind (Tamarix gallica L.), vine (Vitis vinifera L.), fig tree (Ficus carica L.) and olive-tree (Olea europaea L.). On the other hand, we discuss results of the analysis of archaeological charcoal recovered in the colonial town of Mendoza, which corroborate use as firewood from introduced taxa.Based on these archaeological data and the contribution of historical and ethnobotanical information, we analyze the procurement of firewood in the context of the practices given around the introduced fruit trees.Specifically, we propose that their use was not associated as usually interpreted with the availability or caloric yield;but it depended on the frequency in the practice of pruning different taxa, which in turn depended on the growth rates of the same.