Raw materials and functional designs of Fishtail projectile points from southern Brazil

CARBONERA, MIRIAN; DANIEL LOPONTE

Journal of Lithics Technology

University of Edinburgh

Lugar: Edinburgh; Año: 2021

This study analyses the lithic landscapes and the selection of rocks used to manufacture Fishtail points in southern Brazil, their designs, and some functional aspects. Non-translucent cherts, scarce in the region, were the rocks mostly used to manufacture these points, highlighting the absence of non-local raw materials. Some morphotypes appear to have been designed to produce multiple injuries through successive thrusts and withdrawals in the bodies of the prey, while in others the design seems to have favored penetration and fixation on the prey, suggesting in this case, a single shot technique for each projectile. As the points were used, their effectiveness decreased, minimized through different rejuvenations, such as keeping the leading edge as long as possible, and straight shoulders, in order to improve their lethality and the fixation capacity on the prey. Beyond these rejuvenation processes, three different morphotypes of points appear to be included within the sample.