Long-term Obsidian Circulation in Quebrada del Toro (Salta), Northwestern Argentina

DE FEO, M. E.; SORIA, S. ; MACORITTO TORCIVIA, C.

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

Simposio; 11th International Symposium on Knappable materials, From toolstone to stone tools; 2017

IMHICIHU - CONICET

This work describes the results of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of 29 obsidian artefacts from archaeological sites in Quebrada del Toro, Salta, Argentina. Analyzed materials were recovered from Las Cuevas I and V (Early Formative Period 700 AC-400 DC); Tres Cruces I (Late Formative Period 400-900/1000DC); and Tastil and Km-15 Puerta Las Arcas (Regional Developments Period - RDP 900-1430 DC). The XRF analyses show the use of obsidian from the Ona-Las Cuevas, Quirón, Zapaleri, Tocomar and Laguna Cavi sources, which have been previously identified and located in Northwestern Argentina. These results provide information to discuss macro-regional interaction networks in a long-term perspective, allowing to observe changes and continuities in the sources of obsidian used, as well as on the dynamics of its use and circulation. Moreover, a techno-morphological study of different chronological contexts allowed the characterization the lithic production at different moments. A significant reduction in the use of obsidian is observed during the RDP, when it is mainly used for the manufacture of projectile points, although the presence of very small exhausted obsidian cores is constant during the entire time lapse covered. The provenance determinations show, with some variations, a stable use of obsidian sources from formative to late societies.