Estimating the Contribution of Lithic Pseudo Artifacts to the Archaeological Record: Actualistic Taphonomic Research at Casa de Piedra de Roselló 1 (Chubut, Argentina)

Abstract

The presence of pseudo artifacts in the archaeological record is not rare, especially in contexts where lithic raw material of good flaking quality is naturally available. If taphonomic processes and lithic raw material are in place, assessing the contribution of pseudo artifacts is a necessary step in a taphonomically oriented archaeological research design. This was the case at Casa de Piedra de Rosello 1 rockshelter (Chubut, Argentina), where chert from the bedrock is the dominant toolstone throughout the archaeological sequence. Research conducted at the site included in situ rockfall experiments, clast sampling, and techno-morphological analysis of both experimental and collected flaked specimens. It is concluded that although conditions for rockfall pseudo artifact production exist at CP1, its contribution to the overall lithic assemblage was negligible. Nevertheless, the impact of pseudomorphs on archaeological interpretations would be more important in stratigraphic units exhibiting low discard rate or no artifacts at all.