Projectile point variability from a biogeographical approach in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract

Our objective is to analyze the relationship among availability, selection, and use of raw materials suitable for knapping with projectile points from the Late Holocene of northwestern Patagonia. We analyze differences in the raw material used to make projectile points according to the techno-morphological characteristics. Non-stemmed projectile points predominate in all the biogeographic units. The size and weight of the projectile points in Patagonia duplicate those from Altoandina and Monte. We conclude that there was a coexistence of two weapon systems related to hunting, the bow and arrow, together with the use of darts.

Cilj našega dela je analizirati razmerja med dostopnostjo, izbiro in uporabo surovin, primernih za izdelavo pušèiènih osti iz poznega holocena severozahodne Patagonije. Analiziramo razlike med surovinami za izdelavo konic glede na njihove tehnomorfološke znaèilnosti. V vseh biogeografskih enotah prevladujejo osti brez trna. Velikost in te a konic v Patagoniji sta enaki tistim iz Altoandine in Monte. Sklepamo, da sta obstajala dva vzporedna lovna oboro itvena sistema, lok s pušèico in uporaba kopja.