Teeth as raw material sources. Experimentation and microscopic analysis

PARMIGIANI, VANESA; ALVAREZ SONCINI, M. C.; DE ANGELIS, HERNAN; MANSUR M. ESTELA

Buenos Aires

Simposio; 11 Symposium on Knappable Materials; 2017

IMHICIHU-CONICET

Capybara and beaver are the largest rodents in the world. The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is distributed in the tropical wetlands of South America. It can measure more than 1 meter long and 60 cm high, and weigh about 60 kg. The beaver is native to North America (Castor canadensis) and Eurasia (Castor fiber). It reaches up to 75 cm long and 30 cm high and can weigh up to 40 kg. Both species have large incisor teeth. The ethnographic and archaeological records show us that these species were not only consumed by their flesh or skin, but also to harness their teeth as tools. Teeth and bones are excellent raw materials for tools manufacture. Their particular morphology facilitates tool preparation. They can even be used directly without prior modification. In many cases, the use of the tooth with the mandible as hafting has been recorded. These characteristics and the existing data about utilization of teeth as tools led us to start an experimental program. The aim of this analysis was to determine the characteristics of teeth as raw materials for tools. In this paper we present the results of these studies and the characteristics of technological and functional traces recorded in microscopic analysis.