Abstract

BELARDI, Juan Bautista; TIBERI, Pedro; STERN, Charles  and  SUNICO, Alejandro. East of the Cerro Pampa: enlargement of the obsidian availability area from Pampa del Asador (Santa Cruz Province). Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2006, n.7, pp.27-36. ISSN 1850-373X.

Pampa del Asador has been identified as the source of distinct types of obsidian (generally black), and Cerro Pampa, located in the extreme southwest of the Pampas, has been the central point from which the dispersal of artifacts fashioned from this obsidian has been measured. Based on the interpretation of satellite images, geochemical analysis, and field work, we present and discuss evidence provided by nodules and artifacts of obsidian recovered from paleo-drainage channels and an alluvial fan which originates in Pampa del Asador. The results expand the area of availability of obsidian 65 km east and 75 km northeast of Cerro Pampa, and also across Pampa La Chispa, although the relative frequency of nodules decreases and smaller size increases. These results have implications both in terms of the distribution and frequency of obsidian artifacts in the regional archaeological record as well as in terms of the cost of obtaining the rock.

Keywords : Pampa del Asador; Obsidian; Availability; Distribution; Provisioning.

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