Discussing the Peopling of the Puna of Salta (Argentine Andes) from the Lithic Evidence: The Alero Cuevas Site Study Case

Abstract

Here we present the results of the analysis of an early Holocene lithic assemblage from the Alero Cuevas site (4400 masl, Argentine Andes) and discuss the peopling model of the Argentine Puna from the perspective of technological organization. Results reflect a tendency towards the use of an expedient technological strategy focused on the non-local rock. This may have resulted from the high mobility of human groups, which also suggests knowledge of rock sources across a wide space. The lithic record also reflects a redundant occupation of the site, given the high density of artifacts. This evidence coupled with regional data support the hypothesis that the site corresponds to a colonization phase. These results are consistent with a model for the peopling of the Argentine Puna, which predicts low colonization probabilities during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition in lands above 4000 masl, due to the existence of periglacial environmental conditions.