The use of bipolar flaking in the north central coast of Patagonia and its relationship with the regional base of lithic resources

GÓMEZ OTERO JULIETA; ANAHI BANEGAS

Buenos Aires

Simposio; 11 International Symposium on Knappable Material; 2017

IMHICIHU

Several authors argue that bipolar technology is expedientve, versatile and the most efficient strategy for the reduction of small nodules. In the North central coast of Patagonia this technique was recorded in high proportions (≥ 30%), although its frequency is variable among the different coastal sectors. To explore the goals of the use of bipolar reduction technique in the area, the relationship between the regional base of lithic resources and the size, type and raw material of the bipolar cores are analyzed. The bipolar reduction technique was applied to the flintknappingof pebbles that share the following characteristics: small size, oval and/or thick shape and very good to excellent raw material quality. Regarding to the chronology, theis a significant progressive increase in its utilization from the Middle (6%) to the Late Holocene (> 54%). With respect to its spatial variability in the Patagonian coast, its frequency is high (60% to 100%) between the mouth of Colorado and Río Negro rivers; moderate at the San Matías gulf coast (59% to 10%) and the south of Santa Cruz province (29 to 10%); and low or absent (