Explaining the diversification of lithic projectile points from the northern Patagonian coast (Argentina) during the Holocene using phylogenetic and comparative methods

Abstract

Using phylogenetic and comparative methods, this paper explores how the interrelations between size and shape defined the evolutionary trajectories of lithic projectile point of the northern coast of Patagonia (Argentina) during Middle and Late Holocene. The results indicate the existence of an allometric relationship between shape and weight of the points that led their diversification process, at least in part. Also, variations in weight appear to have affected the likelihood of generating new morphological variants, suggesting the existence of restrictions on design that acted in different ways along the temporary span studied in this paper.