Precolonization When the Spanish arrived, the Pehuenches and Puelches were
hunter-gatherers. The populations were integrated around small bands that thrived off of hunting
guanacos,
rheas and Andean deer; as well as gathering fruits; the Puelches Algarroberos of the northern parts of
Neuquén and the
Andean area collected the fruit of the
Araucaria, and those of Cuyo, foraged the fruit of the
carob tree. During hunting and war they showed their skill in handling bolts and arrows. They made their houses or tents with branches and skins and settled near rivers and estuaries. The bands were presided over by an elder who acted as
Lonko or head of the family.
Puelches Algarroberos ''. The
Puelches algarroberos (Puelches of the
Algarroba), also called Puelches de Cuyo were a people related to the
huarpean
Pehuenches, living in
Mendoza and the northern parts of
Neuquén, to the south, their neighbors were the Pehuenches, and to the north by the Huarpes.
1833 Desert Campaign A
Rankülche chief,
Yanquetruz, had fought the Argentines since their combat in Acollaradas, there he won against the forces of
Ruiz Huidobro while he attempted to surprise him at his settlement in Leubucó, southern Córdoba, where he made them retreat to
Córdoba,
Juan Manuel de Rosas proclaimed; "Yanquetruz and his son Pichún will be persecuted, and their heads will be delivered to me". Aldao, after hearing about the results of the battle, decided to ambush the chief, with help of Puelche chief, who Aldao had adopted as his godson, Vicente Goico. After various military victories, Aldao had sent various chiefs fleeing south; one of them, Barbón, an elderly puelche chief subordinated to Yanquetruz; who was ordered to be killed by Aldao, then he was found, beheaded and spiked by Goico, his head being left in the coast of the
Salado River, with the pretext of scorning Yanquetruz. Goico died during a fight with the
Pincheiras Brothers, near
Mendoza. == Namesakes ==