Projectile points variability from a biogeographical approach in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina

FRANCHETTI, FERNANDO; POMPEI, MARÍA DE LA PAZ; MARÍA LAURA SALGÁN

Documenta Praehistorica

University of Ljubljana Press, Faculty of Arts

Lugar: Ljubljani; Año: 2023 vol. 50

1854-2492

Our objective is to analyze the relationship among availability, selection, and use of raw materials suitable for knapping with projectile points from the Late Holocene of northwestern Patagonia. We analyze differences in the raw material used to make projectile points according to the techno-morphological characteristics. Non-stemmed projectile points predominate in all the biogeographic units. The size and weight of the projectile points in Patagonia duplicate those from Altoandina and Monte. We conclude that there was a coexistence of two weapon systems related to hunting, the bow and arrow, together with the use of darts.