The atlatl among prehispanic hunter-gatherer from the southeastern Lowlands, South America

Abstract

Atlatl is a projectile technology used worldwide, from prehistoric to current times. During the Holocene, in the Southern Cone of South America, atlatl devices are recorded in different regions, such as the low Paraná and Uruguay wetlands. Here a peculiar form of atlatl hook was recovered from several hunter-gatherer archaeological sites used from at least 2000 14C years BP until historical times. In this paper, we analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of archaeological atlatl hooks in this region, as well as their operative sequence evaluating the manufacture process, their use options and possible discard events. For this purpose, the physical, metric, and morphological structure of the assemblage was analysed, concluding that these devices were shared by different groups that inhabited the region. Based on the results, we discuss the coexistence and complementary use of atlatl along with other weapon systems, such as the bow and arrow, spears, harpoons, bolas, and slings. Taking advantage of each property, these were effective hunting systems employed by hunter-gatherer groups, which experienced an increase in their social complexity during late Holocene times, due to an intensification process in the exploitation of the environment.