Methodological contributions to the study of flaked quartz lithic technology (Argentina) Aportes metodológicos para el estudio de la tecnología lítica tallada en cuarzo (Argentina)

MORENO, ENRIQUE; SARIO, GISELA; GAÁL, ERICO; EGEA, DÉBORA; GEROLA, IGNACIO; BRIZUELA, CAMILA; MONTEGÚ, JUAN

ARQUEOLOGÍA (Buenos Aires)

Universidad de Buenos Aires - FFyL

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2022 vol. 28

0327-5159

Quartz was one of the most used raw materials for manufacturing lithic tools through time and space. However, due to its great hardness, the presence of fracture planes, and inclusions, it was not frequently selected when better quality raw materials could be accessed. Nevertheless, in many places, it was used almost exclusively. This calls for the need to develop methodological strategies for the identification of diagnostic percussion features in this mineral, which do not always develop or are not perceived as clearly, as in rocks of better quality. This work aims to contribute to the study of quartz lithic assemblages, based on our experiences with different samples coming from the Pampean Ranges of Argentina. We intend to generate analytical categories that allow us to understand ancient knapper choices regarding quartz and promote comparisons between specialists dedicated to this subject.