When humans were the hunted: bone-tipped arrow points in Prehispanic Sierras of Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract

This paper presents the techno-typological study carried out on seven bone projectile points closely associated with a burial assemblage excavated from El Alto 5 (~550 cal BP, Sierras of Córdoba, Argentina). The bone point assemblage provides a useful comparative model for interpreting the function of arrow points where this contextual data is unavailable, concerning primarily the question of how archaeologists can accurately differentiate the arrow tips used for defense or attack from those used for hunting. Bone arrow points have barbed shoulders to resist removal from the wound and stem with serrated edges for a secure hafting. They required shafts a few millimeters thicker than stone-tipped arrows for hafting, involving more kinetic energy to inflict severe injuries. The identification of a dark residue spattered over the blades opens the possibility that poison was applied to enhance the effectiveness of the shoot. The study is considered a starting point to build more accurate models to identify interpersonal violence during the Late Prehispanic Period, where most bone points occurred as domestic refuse of campsites and they were not directly associated with human skeletal remains.