Exploring technological choices in fishtail points from Southern contexts: A comparative overview

HERMO DARIO; MIOTTI LAURA; TERRANOVA ENRIQUE

Paleoamerica

Taylor & Francis

Lugar: Texas; Año: 2022 vol. 8 p. 79 - 94

2055-5563

For this purpose, we take three questions as a starting point to understand the variability in fishtail points technology: a) How were FTPs made? b) What were FTPs made for? and c) Who made them? Trying to answer these questions, we analize a sample from several archaeological sites from Argentinean Patagonia. Then, we differentiate knapping stages we evaluate weapon systems using a wide set of variables to assign the lithic heads to a specific weapon. Finally, we interpret the results taking into account the contexts of procedence of the sample. We propose that there were at least two ways to manufacture FTP points and these objects had acted in two different weapons systems. The design of FTPs may be related to a multiplicity of actors, involving kids, apprentice and expert at knapping.