Use-wear analysis through scanning electron microscope (SEM) of bone tools from a late archaic site in the Mauro Valley (Coquimbo Region, Chile): contributions to a contextual reconstruction
Authors
Boris Santander
Grupo Quaternário e Pré-História do Centro de Geociências (uID 73 - FCT Portugal), Portugal. Programa de Doctorado en Cuaternario y Prehistoria, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Patricio López M.
Universidad Católica del Norte, Instituto de Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Museo Gustavo Le Paige (IIAM), Calle Gustavo Le Paige Nº 380, San Pedro de Atacama
This paper presents the results of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysisperformed on seven bone tools from MAU085, a Late Archaic site in the semiarid northof Chile (31º 57` S-71º 01`O, IV Region). The main objective of this analysis was todetermine the function of a set of bone tools and their relation with the morphologicalvariability identified. Given prior hypothesis linking the functionality of these bonetools to flaking and resharpening of projectile points and cutting artifacts, we soughtcomplementary information in both artefactual and ecofactuals evidence, specificallythe lithic remains. Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscope shows that the bonetools studied were used in lithic as well as soft contact materials such as leather/skinand textile fibers, thus expanding the use of artefacts traditionally considered boneretouchers.
Keywords:
Scanning Electron Microscope, Bone Tools, Late Archaic, Semiarid North, Chile
Santander, B., & López M., P. (2012). Use-wear analysis through scanning electron microscope (SEM) of bone tools from a late archaic site in the Mauro Valley (Coquimbo Region, Chile): contributions to a contextual reconstruction. Revista Chilena De Antropología, (26). Retrieved from https://revistachilenahumanidades.uchile.cl/index.php/RCA/article/view/26557
