SILT-STONE FROM SOUTHERN PATAGONIA: ITS SOURCE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACT DISTRIBUTIONS IN SANTA CRUZ PROVINCE, ARGENTINA.

BELARDI, J,B; CASSIODORO G.; GOÑI, R.; GLASCOCK, M; SUNICO, A

Geoarchaeology: an international journal

Wiley periodicals inc

Año: 2015 vol. 30 p. 223 - 237

Mobility and spheres of interaction of hunter-gathers are important characteristics worthy of investigation in Patagonian archaeology. One way to approach these is by studying the distribution of lithic archaeological materials. Silt-stone (limolite) artifacts are found along the western strip of southwestern Patagonia. Based on the high density of archaeological material and geomorphological studies, a source was located along the western margin of Cardiel Lake. A geochemical study by neutron activation analysis of samples from the source and archaeological sites in several neighboring basins allowed us to model its circulation. Silt-stone´s archaeological distribution indicates that its circulation was regional, had a southerly direction, and it was used from the early Holocene. This southern vector shows an important difference when compared to the distribution of obsidian from Pampa del Asador, which has a broader circulation pattern. This could be related to a greater availability of high quality lithic materials north of the silt-stone source. This work also contributes to the construction of a lithics source database for southern Patagonia.