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Bone tool and tuber processing: a multi-proxy approach at Boyo Paso 2, Argentina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2018

Matías Medina ,
Laura López  and
Natacha Buc
Matías Medina*
Affiliation:
CONICET—División Arqueología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Unidad de Investigación Anexa al Museo, 60th and 122nd Avenue, La Plata (1900), Argentina
Laura López
Affiliation:
CONICET—División Arqueología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Unidad de Investigación Anexa al Museo, 60th and 122nd Avenue, La Plata (1900), Argentina
Natacha Buc
Affiliation:
CONICET—Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano, 3 de Febrero 1378, Buenos Aires (C.P. 1426), Argentina
*
*Author for correspondence (Email: paleomedina@gmail.com)
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Abstract

This article provides results from a full morphological, use-wear and microfossil residue analysis of a notched bone tool made from a camelid scapula, which was recovered from the late pre-Hispanic site of Boyo Paso 2 (1500–750 years BP, Sierras of Córdoba, Argentina). The use-wear pattern showed striations similar to those recorded in experimental bone tools used for scraping activities. The starch grains found on the active or working edge are similar to the Andean tuber crop Oxalis tuberosa, and suggest that the tool was used for peeling wild or domesticated Oxalis sp. tubers, thereby questioning the disproportionate attention directed towards maize in late pre-Hispanic economies.

Keywords

Argentinapre-Hispanicbone technologyuse-wearphytolith and starch-grain analysistubersmaize
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 92 , Issue 364 , August 2018 , pp. 1040 - 1055
Copyright
© Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2018 

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