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 assemblagesrecovered at the Pedernales-38 site (26.5°S; 69°W), located in the highlands of the southernAndes (3380 masl). Based on a reconstruction of the operational chains and the differentialrepresentation of their phases, we suggest that the final production, use, maintenance, anddiscard 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-overimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP). Four positive reactions to antisera of human, camelid (guanacoor vicuña) and canid (Andean fox) were recorded. The results are discussed based on thedepositional context and the structure of the archeological record. We propose that Pedernalesprojectile points were mainly used in hunting weapons to capture wild camelids during theseasonal occupation of the Andes highlands