Late Holocene lithic points from Southern Patagonia: an estimation of Fell IV and V points use-life using experimental data and statistical modelling

MARCELO CARDILLO; CHARLIN, JUDITH; CORADA, JUAN PABLO DONADEI; ARRIAGA, LUCAS CHEME; MORENO, EDUARDO; SHOTT, MICHAEL

Simposio; Rock and Roll: 13th International Symposium on Knappable Materials; 2021

We estimate and compare the life history of two classes of Late Holocene lithic pointsfrom southern Patagonia commonly known as Fell, Magallanes or Bird IV and V typesaccording to experimental data and using survival curves models. Ten replicas of eachtype were fired to depletion or discard using a traditional wooden longbow of 43 lbagainst a target of cow ribs 10 m away. Each point was measured, weighed and photographedbefore and after each firing to record size and shape variations. After everyfiring the kind of impact (bone or meat), the presence-absence of damage (macrofractures)and the need of damage repair and resharpening were recorded. This data waslater used to estimate the survival probability of both point types, survival measuredas number of shots and resharpenings, and fitted to survival models. Results indicatesignificant differences in life history between types. While type IV points show a longeruse-life by number of shots and resharpenings, type V points have a shorter use-lifeand higher probability of fracture concentrated on the first firing before being resharpenedat least once . All these differences suggest that under the same conditions ofuse, expected longevity differs significantly between the types, offering new informationto evaluate hunting strategies and comparative advantages in the use of differentpoint classes in southern Patagonia prehistory. Observed patterns provides new toolsto think about the macroevolutionary processes of persistence and replacement ofthese technologies. We hope to contribute to the discussion of different methodologicaltools for documenting patterns in lithic datasets, such as statistical modelling andexperimental approaches.