Geochemical Sourcing of Obsidian Fishtail Projectile Points: Studies for the Somuncura Plateau (Río Negro, Argentina)

MIOTTI LAURA; TERRANOVA ENRIQUE; BARBERENA RAMIRO; HERMO DARIO; GIESSO MARTÍN; GLASCOCK MICHAEL

Current Research in the Pleistocene

Center for the Study of the First Americans

Año: 2012 p. 127 - 131

8755-898X

Fish-tail projectile points are a key indicator of early human occupations in the Americas. A large number of these artifacts have been recently recovered an specific spot at the top hill of Cerro Los Dos Amigos, located on north edge at Laguna de Las Vacas, in the middle of the Somuncura Plateau (Río Negro Province, Argentina). Some of these points are made on obsidian. Here we present recently produced XRF geochemical results to characterize raw material of the points, allowing sourcing them geographically. These preliminary results, in conjunction with technological information, indicate the presence of different sources among which the local obsidians are most represented in the archaeological context. These geochemical results contribute to discuss some aspects of the spatial organization of early human societies inhabiting Patagonia.