Bone technology in the late Holocene of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina): the site Las Vueltas 1

Several authors have referred the use of bone for technological purposes by hunter-gatherer since 6000 BP at the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. This technology made use of bones from different animal species for the manufacture of artifacts and ornamental objects. Evidences of the hunting and butchering of at least 37 guanacos was recorded on the third occupation stage (ca. 585 years BP) from the site Las Vueltas 1 (LV1). Some bones served to manufacture artifacts. In this paper we discuss the results of the morpho-technical and functional analyses carried out on those bone artifacts. The paper deepens our knowledge on the relevance of bone technology among these hunter-gatherer societies.