Recycling on Fishtail Points: Morphological and Fatty Acids Analysis

Summary

Fishtail points constitute a flexible type that exhibits morphological variability, in part unrelated to spatial and chronological factors. Assemblages from the Argentinian pampas include small, medium and large points, produced either on a flake blank or by bifacial thinning on a biface, with or without fluting, with rounded or angular shoulders, that is, presenting variable sizes, design and manufacturing techniques. These variations were partly the result of the production of objects intended for different functions and partly of point life history. Regarding this life history, we here address a conservative strategy affecting Fishtail points in several localities in South America: recycling. Under the term recycling, we consider points modified by retouch to produce a different tool. Fifteen artifacts recovered at Cerro El Sombrero Cima, representing 16% of the point assemblage at the site, are considered recycled tools made on Fishtail points. They were identified through macroscopic observation of traits on edges and tips and the general artifact shape; possible uses of these recycled tools are studied through fatty acid analysis. Although points are transformed into different artifacts, such as side scrapers, knives, notches or drills, the characteristic Fishtail shape is recognizable, reinforcing the importance this design played in early societies.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 20987