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GUANACO AREA
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whole stretch, together with the lower half of Chile, has one cultural center, though its geographical diversity gives certain distinctions. The typical culture is found among the Guaycuruan (Abipones, etc.), Araucanian, Puelchean, and Calchaquian stocks.[1] Engulfed by them are such tiny groups as


Fig. 72, A Patagonian Shelter Tent, Wood, 1876. I


the Lulean and Allentiacan. On the south we note the Chonoan of the Pacific Coast, who seem to have resembled the Alikulufan, Onan, and Yahganan farther south. The eastern slope of Patagonia was occupied by the Tsonekan (Tehuelche). Such of these as occupy the coast line live largely upon sea food.

The culture of the typical group reminds one of the North American Plains area. The Spanish colonists introduced horses and cattle and very quickly the natives became horse Indians, hunting wild cattle.[2] As such, they were nomadic and in the main did not till the soil, but in some cases did

  1. Dobrizhoffer, 1822. I.
  2. Church, 1912. I, p. 300.