Abstract
Given the limitations of the expediency/conservation dichotomy for understanding the lithic assemblages from the first millennium in Antofagasta de la Sierra (Catamarca, Argentina), the utilitarian design proposal constitutes progress toward understanding the specific technology of agropastoral societies. The term raised the issue that the lack of conservation-related elements poses for describing the material product of an expeditious strategy. The proposal subsequently supported efforts to estimate the work that the formative societies of Northwestern Argentina invested in lithic production. This research revisits its contributions, applying them to the knapped stone assemblage of Structure 4 (E4) at the Las Escondidas site (Quebrada de Miriguaca, Antofagasta de la Sierra) – a site occupied at the beginning of the first millennium, that shows different activities, including artisan production. Reconstructing some aspects of the technological behavior involved in the production, use and disposal of the instrument set at E4 gave rise to several reflections on the scope and applicability of the utilitarian design concept in relation to work investment.
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