Bone instruments from first millenium A.D. northwestern Argentina occupations. A macro and microscopic approach to their functionality.

IZETA, ANDRES DARIO; CATTANEO. G.R.; SCATTOLIN, MARIA CRISTINA; CORTES, L. I.

París

Conferencia; XI International Conference del International Council for Archaeozoology (ICAZ); 2010

Museum nationalle de Histoire naturelle

Bone instruments are not commonly found in first millennium AD occupations in northwestern Argentina. While the paucity of this type of evidence is clear, a recurrent type is found: South American camelids metapodials with a standardized shape (a rounded shaped tip at the proximal epiphysis). On the other hand element profile of camelids from archaeological sites shows a tendency to present a lack of metapodials. This suggests that those elements were used as raw material for making very specific and standardized instruments. Based on the last assumption, macroscopic and microscopic analysis was taken in order to assess the ways the instruments were used and the raw material procured. Preliminary results insinuate that weaving can be one of the functions of such instruments relating them to modern instruments called wichuñas.