Technological and Protein Residue Analysis on Ancient Stemmed Projectile Points of the Southern Andes Highlands

ABSTRACT

We present the results of technological and protein residue analyses of the lithic assemblages recovered at the Pedernales-38 site (26.5°S; 69°W), located in the highlands of the southern Andes (3380 masl). Based on a reconstruction of the operational chains and the differential representation of their phases, we suggest that the final production, use, maintenance, and discard of large stemmed projectile points occurred at the site. Of the assemblage studied, nine (9) projectile points and one end-scraper were subjected to residue analysis using cross-over immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP). Four positive reactions to antisera of human, camelid (guanaco or vicuña) and canid (Andean fox) were recorded. The results are discussed based on the depositional context and the structure of the archeological record. We propose that Pedernales projectile points were mainly used in hunting weapons to capture wild camelids during the seasonal occupation of the Andes highlands.

KEYWORDS:

• Projectile points
• bifacial technology
• Andes highlands
• cross-over immuno-electrophoresis
• protein residues
• operational chains

Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by Fondecyt 1190197 “Ocupaciones humanas y paisajes de altura. Marco paleoambiental y geoarqueológico durante el poblamiento humano inicial en la Puna Meridional del Desierto de Atacama (26-28°S, 3.200-4.500 msnm)”.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.