Late Holocene human occupations and hunting technologies at the Laguna Azul site (Somuncurá plateau, Río Negro, Argentina)

Abstract Here we present an initial characterization of projectile point designs recovered from the Laguna Azul site, Parapet 3 (LA-P3), located in the Somuncurá Massif (Río Negro, Argentina). Our goal was to investigate the hunting technologies implemented by the hunter-gatherer groups that inhabited this site during the Late Holocene (ca. 1900 years BP). We analyzed different design variables and considered aerodynamics, reinforcement surface, and shaft system according to the functional model proposed by Ratto (2003). Supplementary micro-wear analyses were also conducted in order to generate additional data related to the shapes and materials utilized in the shaft system. These analyses identified black micro-residues in the basal sectors, while macroscopic assessments of the design manufacture indicated that different manufacturing stages were involved (pre-shaping, basic forms, maintenance, and recycling) as well as the use of at least two technical systems used to capture prey (bow and arrow and throwing spears or darts).