Resumen

CAPDEPONT, Irina; DEL PUERTO, Laura  y  INDA, Hugo. Instrumentos de molienda: evidencias del procesamiento de recursos vegetales en la laguna de Castillos (Rocha, Uruguay). Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2005, n.6, pp.153-166. ISSN 1850-373X.

This paper presents the results from studies performed on milling stone tools recovered at Excavation I, Mound A from Guardia del Monte Site, Castillos lagoon, Uruguay. Physical attributes and functional features were used for the characterization of grinding artefacts. To this end opal phytoliths were extracted and analyzed in order to correlate different kinds of artefacts with specific vegetable resources. Written sources were used additionally to reach a deeper understanding of other aspects related to grinding activities and use of vegetable resources. The results obtained enabled the identification of processed vegetables as a food source (in flour and beverage preparation) and as technological goods (for crafts, housing, and furniture). In both cases wild and managed/cultivated resources were identified. Some mortars showed food processing evidence, and others were exclusively used in the technological sphere mentioned above. Nevertheless, it was possible to determine a third kind of artefact in which both processing activities were recorded. Finally, a correlation between physical attributes of mortars and their functionality was achieved both through vegetable particle identification and according to uses referred to in ethnographic sources.

Palabras clave : Prehistory; Grinding tools; Subsistence; Archaeobotany.

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