METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES FOR THE SOLUTIO N OF ETHNOHISTORICAL PROBLEMS - BIOASSAY OF KINSHIP IN PREHISTORIC POPULATIONS OF ARICA, CHILE

In the present paper the microevolutionary process of the prehistoric population of the Azapa Valley (northern Chile) is analyzed by means o f a new analysis taking previous experience into account, while keepin g the theoretical and practical unity related to the obtention of a ge netic-demographic explanation about the main factors causing the biolo gical differentiation, which can be observed in the area. This differe ntiation is evident in the high correlation observed between distances relying on metrical and nonmetrical variables and the samples' chrono logy. The explanation of the microevolutionary process and the resulti ng genetic structure of the population can be investigated by means of a dispersion model controlled by the action of systematic evolutionar y pressions. This model foresees the exponential extinction of kinship as the lapse between two phases increases; The accuracy of the result s depends on several hypotheses and on the nature of available informa tion.