Nora Flegenheimer

Long distance tool stone transport in the Argentine Pampas

Abstract Tools manufactured from a characteristic reddish siliceous rock are present in low frequencies in most early Pampean assemblages in Argentina. They are bifacial tools, including fishtail projectile points, bipolar products, and flakes. They have been found in both excavated assemblages dated between 10,000 and 11,000 BP, and in surface sites. Surface collections from Uruguay also include fishtail projectile points manufactured on this rock. Petrographic analyses were carried out to determine stone provenance. Archaeological artifacts from the Argentine Pampas, and macroscopically similar nodules obtained from secondary deposits in Uruguay were analyzed. The rock used for the artifacts is composed of a siliceous very fine homogeneous mass that is nearly isotropic, and is characterized by recognizable remains of organisms, including silicified gastropods. The samples obtained from deposits in central and southern Uruguay have similar microscopic characteristics. Many of these deposits were exploited as indigenous quarries. Therefore, this reddish rock was transported from Uruguay to the Argentine Pampas by societies who inhabited the region during the Pleistocene/Holocene transition. Within this context, we discuss the social meaning of this long distance tool stone transport and propose that it was a result of human interaction networks.

Cambio de planes a través del tiempo para el traslado de roca en la pampa bonaerense

The aim of the paper is to study rock distribution in order to understand changes in the hunter-gatherer societies through time. The study area is specially suited for the present purpose since resources are highly localized. Our data base includes artifacts from Cerro La China and Cerro El Sombrero localities dated between 10200 and 11200 BP and the surface collection of site1 at El Guanaco locality, which corresponds to Late Holocene times. We conclude that during the early occupations transportable toolkits were in use, while during the more recent occupation two strategies of provisioning individuals and places coexisted. Also, the presence of prepared cores is evidence of a great flintknapping ability during both moments.

The archaeological record in pampean loess deposits

Abstract Archaeological sites in the pampean loess or loess-like deposits of southern Buenos Aires province are discussed. The focus in on site formation processes and the main characteristics acquired by the sites. Pedogenesis and faunal-turbation are considered the most important post-depositional processes which can generate transformations. The environmental conditions did not favor the preservation of organic remains, other than bones and shells. The poor preservation of archaeological features (i.e. floors and pits) is interpreted as a consequence of post-depositional processes, whereas the reduced amount of charcoal and hearths could result from environmental conditions.

LA ELECCIÓN DE ROCAS DE COLORES POR LOS POBLADORES TEMPRANOS DE LA REGIÓN PAMPEANA (BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA): NUEVAS CONSIDERACIONES DESDE LAS CANTERAS

En este trabajo se reflexiona sobre el valor que los colores pudieron tener para las primeras sociedades que poblaron el centro-este del area serrana de Tandilia en la region pampeana argentina durante la transicion Pleistoceno-Holoceno. Para ello, y ante la escasez de otros datos, se toman como referentes las materias primas liticas seleccionadas para confeccionar artefactos. A partir del hallazgo de canteras arqueologicas en las que se extrajeron rocas de diversos colores, se reformula una explicacion planteada previamente sobre la posible preferencia por las materias primas coloreadas por sobre las blancas. Se reafirma que el color y otras cualidades de las rocas y los minerales debieron ser significativos y se sostiene que debieron tener un valor estetico en la comunicacion visual de los cazadores y recolectores que poblaron la zona hace unos 11.000 anos.

Breakage Patterns on Fishtail Projectile Points: Experimental and Archaeological Cases

Abstract Fishtail projectile points, also known as Fell 1, are dated between 11,000 and 9,500 14C yr B.P. in South and Central America and have been traditionally considered diagnostic of the early peopling of the continent. In this paper, experimental observations of impact breakage patterns on fishtail projectile point replicas are compared with archaeological points from the Cerro El Sombrero Cima site, in the Argentinian pampas, which exhibit a high breakage ratio and suggest that impact was a major cause of breakage in the assemblage. The position of these fractures is also briefly compared to patterns described by J. Bird (1969) for fishtail projectile points from Ecuador and Southern Chile.

Landscape and Rocks in the East-Central Portion of the Tandilia Range (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)

Abstract The east-central Tandilia Range (Pampean region, Argentina) witnessed recurrent human occupations during the final Pleistocene and early Holocene. Here we introduce an updated synthesis about material culture and landscape studies based on eight archaeological sites. The lithic technology of the early groups that inhabited the micro-region includes a highly selective acquisition of rocks and their transport from different sources, sometimes from very long distances. There is significant inter-assemblage variability among sites; within this diverse context, the assemblage at Cerro El Sombrero is exceptional, including infrequent artifacts and a large number of Fishtail projectile points. Our findings indicate people with a deep knowledge of their environment, their stones, and geographic features, some of which had distinctive uses and meanings. We consider that this network of ideas, places, and objects suggests that people in the micro-region were deeply engaged with their surroundings by the Pleistocene–Holocene transition.

Miniature points in an exceptional early South American context

Abstract Miniature points, similar to full-sized types used as hunting weapons, have occasionally been described in North and South America for Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene hunter-gatherer societies. They are explained as toys, practice pieces or ceremonial objects. They are an interesting case to use to reflect on how people materialize abstractions, encode visual communication and develop special practices related to particular places. Here we present six miniature points found at Cerro El Sombrero Cima (Buenos Aires province, Argentina), an early site with an unusual assemblage. Five specimens are fishtail projectile points and the sixth is an undescribed stemmed type. We use relevant theoretical insights and address point life histories according to their techno-morphological characteristics, raw material identification and fatty acids and sterols analyses. Finally, these projectile-point miniatures are considered in the context of discard, and their role among early American hunter-gatherers is addressed.