The analysis of animal bones recovered from preceramic period deposits at Uchcumachay Cave and other sites in the Puna of Junín has documented the development of an economy involving primary camelid utilization beginning around 5,500 B.C. and culminating with the appearance of domestic forms between 2,500 and 1,750 B.C. A model that can be used to explain this process in both the Puna of Junín and the Central Andes has been presented.