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20245603(en)/4 - Before or After the Hunt? Fracture Analysis of Lithic Heads from the Southern Patagonia Coast (Santa Cruz, Argentina)

BEFORE OR AFTER THE HUNT? FRACTURE ANALYSIS OF LITHIC HEADS FROM THE SOUTHERN PATAGONIA COAST (SANTA CRUZ, ARGENTINA)

¿ANTES O DESPUÉS DE LA CACERÍA? ANÁLISIS DE FRACTURAS DE LOS CABEZALES LÍTICOS DE LA COSTA PATAGÓNICA MERIDIONAL (SANTA CRUZ, ARGENTINA)

Daniela Soledad Cañete Mastrángelo

Fractured artifacts are often excluded from the analysis of lithic assemblages because they fail to provide an opportunity to obtain complete information. However, fractures themselves can provide valuable data that enhances our understanding of the lithic archaeological record. Therefore, this study analyzes the fracture patterns recorded in lithic points recovered from the ar- chaeological site of Punta Entrada and the area of what is today the Monte León National Park (Santa Cruz, Argentina) in order to identify what led to their production and to generate information about their life histories and the activities carried out by humans in these coastal areas. To achieve this, we followed Weitzel’s (2010) proposal. The sample includes pieces recovered from archaeological sites and isolated finds, all associated with the Late Holocene. This study allowed us to identify various causes of breakage, including errors made during manufacturing and fractures caused by use and impact. It also reinforces previous interpretations made about lithic assemblages and associated human activities, such as the in-situ manufacture of artifacts and venatory practices related primarily to the capture of pinnipeds. Also, it reveals another previously unknown behavior, which may be the intentional breakage of artifacts.

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