The Chaîne Opératoire of the Flint Axes of the Myky Indigenous Tribe (Mato Grosso, Brazil)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of ethnoarchaeological research carried out among the Myky tribal group in Brazil. The intention of this research is to document the chaîne opératoire of the flint axes used by this indigenous group in the past. The Myky were first contacted in 1971, and knapped and used different stone tools in their daily life up until that point. This paper explores some of the reasons why the Myky used flint axes and how this allowed them to develop a horticultural economy without having a sedentary way of life. The principal value of this research is to document a specific element of this group's cultural heritage, as well as its past material culture. These are critical aspects to document, since they are likely to disappear in the space of one or two generations. Presented here are a unique set of observations of stone tool manufacture activities by a group that has not been previously studied.