Ali Mustafá Cave: a new archaeological site with an early occupation in the Eastern Tandilia Mountain Range (Argentina)

Se exponen los resultados preliminares de los trabajos arqueológicos realizados en la Cueva Ali Mustafá, sitio que se suma a otros reparos rocosos usados por grupos de cazadores-recolectores bajo la modalidad de ocupaciones de corta duración ocurridas durante la transición Pleistoceno-Holoceno. La información que incorpora este nuevo sitio temprano apoya una propuesta anterior sobre el valor arqueológico que tuvieron los reparos rocosos que poseen ocupaciones efímeras, en algunos casos presentan ocupaciones redundantes y se localizan en relación estratégica con el paisaje serrano. Este sitio fue seleccionado para su uso como paradero durante las travesías por los valles serranos y por su localización de alta visualización del valle de San Pedro.Here we present the preliminary results of the archaeological research in Ali Mustafá Cave. This site is one of several rockshelters used by hunter-gatherer groups for shortterm occupations during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. The data from this new early site supports previous research regarding the archaeological value of rock shelters with ephemeral occupations. In some cases, these shelters show evidence of recurrent occupations, and were located in a strategic position in relation with the surrounding mountain landscape. Due to its location with high visual dominance over the San Pedro Valley, this site was used as a stopover during movement through the intermontane valleys.Fil: Mazzanti, Diana Leonis. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Laboratorio de Arqueología Regional Bonaerense; ArgentinaFil: Bonnat, Gustavo Federico. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Laboratorio de Arqueología Regional Bonaerense; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Donadei Corada, Juanpablo. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Laboratorio de Arqueología Regional Bonaerense; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Gustavo A.. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geología de Costas y del Cuaternario. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Geología de Costas y del Cuaternario; Argentin

Local and nonlocal rocks: technological strategies and raw material management. Hunter-gatherer mobility for mid-Holocene groups of eastern Tandilia range (Argentina)

This work analyzes the lithic artifactual assemblages from four archaeological sites excavated in caves and rockshelters located in the eastern Tandilian mountain range. The sites are dated between 5500 and 4800 years BP. The technological results show that the human occupants of these shelters followed a technological management pattern, combining expedient strategies on local raw materials together with curation and maximization strategies for regional and extra-regional rocks. During this period, climatic conditions were characterized by general fluctuations that fragmented the landscape, although paleoclimate data also suggests that the eastern Tandilia mountain range operated as an ecological refuge for plant and animal species. In this context, it is suggested that human occupations were part of a logistical mobility strategy where hunter-gatherer groups took advantage of mountain ecological patches with natural resource concentrations.Fil: Donadei Corada, Juanpablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Laboratorio de Arqueología Regional Bonaerense; Argentina. Equipo de Investigación Primeros Pobladores de Extremadura; Españ

Functional efficiency and life history of Late Holocene lithic points from southern Patagonia: An experimental estimation using survival curves models

As part of a long-term experimental project aimed at assessing size and shape variations and use life of lithic points as they vary by weapon systems, we report the first results of experiments about functional efficiency and life history of two types of Late Holocene lithic points from southern Patagonia commonly known as Fell, Magallanes or Bird IV and V. Ten replicas of each type were fired to depletion or discard, using a traditional wooden longbow of 43 lb draw weight against a target of cow ribs 10 m away. Each point was measured, weighed and photographed in plan view and 360° before and after each firing to record size and shape variations and obtain 2 and 3D digital models. After every firing the kind of impact (bone or meat), the presence-absence of damage (macrofractures) and presence/absence of damage repair were recorded. We estimated the survival probability of both point types, survival measured as number of shots and resharpenings, and fitted each to survival models. Results indicate significant differences in functional efficiency and life history between types. Type IV points show a longer use-life by number of shots and resharpenings, type V points shorter use-life and higher probability of fracture concentrated on the first firing before being resharpened at least once. Linear regression between the number of shots and the number of resharpenings shows a positive relationship for the two point types, although with a higher resharpening rate for type V. All these differences suggest that under the same conditions of use, expected longevity differs significantly between the types, offering new information to evaluate hunting strategies and comparative advantages in the use of different point classes in southern Patagonia prehistory.Fil: Cardillo, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Historia y Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Charlin, Judith Emilce. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Historia y Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Cheme Arriaga, Lucas. Museo de Historia Natural de la Pampa; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Donadei Corada, Juanpablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Moreno, Eduardo J.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; ArgentinaFil: González José, Rolando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Shott, Michael. University of Akron; Estados Unido