Use and forget. Contribution to the discussion about the bone tools called "machacadores" (pounders), Patagonia, South America.

SANTIAGO FERNANDO; PAL NELIDA; SALEMME MÓNICA; BÁRTOLI, VALERIA; LASA, ADRIANA

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Elsevier

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2019 vol. 28

2352-409X

This article presents the analyses of bone tools from two sites related to pedestrian hunter-gatherers located at northern Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). In these sites, a large quantity (N=170) of pounders (machacadores, its name in Spanish) performed on guanaco (Lama guanicoe) long bones was recovered. Methodologically the work is divided intwo sections: at first, an experimental reference collection was developed to identify the use wear traces; secondly, the focus was on the study of the archaeological artifacts. The results obtained show that the diagnostic macroscopic traces of the machacadores (such as, crushing of bone fibers, separation and bending of osseous fibers, negative flake scars -inner and outer of diaphysis- and flakes in situ) are generated after a prolonged period of use. After the experimentation, archaeological artifacts were re-analyzed to identify the intensity of use and the macroscopic characteristics, comparing to the replicas. Our hypothesis sustains that machacadores were opportunistic artifacts more than a particular technique to provoke a transversal fracture. The main features and some interpretations aboutthe use of these artifacts are presented as well, regarding their contextual provenance. In addition, a bibliographic review about these controversial artifacts throughout Patagonia brings light to the discussion and contributes to reinforce the previous thesis sustained by Hajduk and Lezcano (2005).