On wedges and bones: Archaeological studies of use-wear and residue analysis from Late Holocene occupations in the Southern Pampean Hills (Alero Deodoro Roca, Córdoba, Argentina)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the results of complementary studies on a type of lithic tool: the small wedge, trying to understand their use and, particularly, the kind of worked material during Late Holocene times in the central region of Argentina (ADR archaeological site). FT-IR spectroscopy on residue recovered from tools edge surfaces and functional analysis of microwear were used as a crosscheck methodology for integrated analysis, including some experimental data. According with the analytical results, we propose that this type of instrument was used either as a controlled way to split camelid phalanges to use them as raw material for tool manufacture or marrow extraction.