Obsidian Exchange among Hunter-Gatherers in Northwestern Patagonia

FERNANDO FRANCHETTI; C. OTAOLA; LAURA SALGAN; GIARDINA, MIGUEL A.

Berkeley

Congreso; International Obsidian Conference; 2021

Universidad de California

In this paper we explore the exchange of obsidian in the Diamante valley, northwesternPatagonia. Obsidian was rare in the Diamante valley, with high percentages of projectile pointsand bifaces, and little presence of cores and cortex?all signals of indirect access to sources. Weconducted XRF sourcing analysis and technological analysis of nearly 180 obsidian specimens.We also explored least cost path analysis to discuss the access of obsidian from the Diamantevalley. We found that Las Cargas was the main source used, followed by Maule 1 and 2, ElPeceño, and Coche Quemado. In high contrast, the closest source, Laguna del Diamante, was theleast used. We discuss that obsidian exchange had an important role through Highland villagesto procure access to the rest of the valley. This also support the idea of the importance of obsidianto minimize risk at high altitude occupations. Finally, we determine the importance of obsidianand other raw materials at a macroscale to define lithic landscapes and their implications formobility and exchange, by comparing northwestern Patagonia with the Great Basin of the US.