Assessing the life history of projectile points/knives from the Middle Holocene of Argentina’s Southern Puna

Abstract

Lithic artifacts that belong to hunter-gatherer occupations from the Quebrada Seca 3 site during the Middle Holocene of the Southern Puna of Argentina, dating to ca. 4800–5900 cal BP are analyzed. These tools have been defined as stemmed projectile points whose blades were intensively maintained, resulting in asymmetric shapes. However, they have also been defined as knives because of their morphology when discarded. To establish a more complete version of the life history of these artifacts, from projectile points to knives, a research design was developed that includes several analytical microscopic and compositional techniques to identify the uses that were preserved over time. Information obtained through microwear analysis and the study of microscopic residues -microfossils and chemical residues – on the blades and stems indicates that these artifacts were used in several functions, with a first use as projectile points and a final use as knives in generalized plant and animal processing. The plant material processed includes roasted or dehydrated tuberous/roots. The tools were also used to cut animal skin, flesh and/or bone. Evidence for hafting to foreshafts or handles and for the use of adhesives was also found. The use-traces and life history results were mutually consistent. This contributed to the discussion of artifact life history and resource processing by the Middle Holocene hunter-gatherers of the South Central Andes.