First results on the weapon system of the hunter-gatherers that occupied the middle basin of the Salado creek (Pampas region, Argentina)

KAUFMANN C. A.; ALVAREZ, M. C.; BARROS, M. P.; BELLINZONI, J.; HEIDER, G.

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

Simposio; 11th International Symposium on Knappable Materials; 2017

IMHICIHU-CONICET

El Hangar is an archaeological site located on a low hill, which is 170 m from the Salado stream (province of Buenos Aires, Argentina). Several materials have been recovered in surface, coveringan area of 12.500 m2. Most of the remains correspond to lithic artifacts, although some ceramic sherds and animal bones were also collected. No radiocarbon dates are yet available; however, some characteristics of the materials, as well as the presence of pottery, indicate that at least part of the occupations correspond to the late Holocene. It is remarkable that, in comparison with other artifacts, a high number of projectile points were recovered at the site (N=30). In this poster we present the results of the study of the projectile points from El Hangar. We characterize their size, shape, and raw material used. We also analyze the distances between and the natural rock outcrops. Taking into account the results of these analyses, we discuss the potential functionality of El Hangar. A preliminary hypothesis is that the place could have been used as a locus for the maintenance, replacement, and discard of weapons.