Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- South American nomad - Hunters and gatherers of the steppes and plains
- South American nomad - Hunters, gatherers, and fishermen of the Gran Chaco
- South American Indian - Hunters and gatherers
- South America - Indians
- South American nomad
- history of Latin America - Types of Western Hemisphere societies
- hunter-gatherer
- Patagonia
Which areas of South America were home to nomadic hunting peoples?
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Nomadic hunting and gathering peoples in South America primarily inhabited regions that were considered marginal for intensive agriculture, often located in the southern and interior parts of the continent.123
Key areas home to these nomadic groups included:
- The Southern Cone: This region, encompassing Patagonia, the Pampas of Argentina, and southern Chile, was a primary habitat for nomadic hunters such as the Tehuelche, Puelche, and Querandí.412
- Tierra del Fuego: The archipelagic zone in the extreme south, including Tierra del Fuego, was home to groups like the Ona and Yámana.412
- The Gran Chaco: This arid region, extending from the Pampas into Paraguay and Brazil, supported various migratory peoples, including the Abipón and Wichí, who roamed the plains.51
- Tropical Rainforests: Isolated societies in the interior tropical forests of Brazil and neighboring countries also maintained a hunting and gathering subsistence level, often remaining separate from the more complex agricultural societies found along major river basins.13