Abstract

BORRAZZO, Karen et al. Caracterización de las materias primas líticas de Chorrillo Miraflores y su distribución arqueológica en el extremo meridional de Fuego-Patagonia. Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2015, vol.16, suppl.1, pp.155-167. ISSN 1850-373X.

The discovery of a primary source of two lithic raw materials (ryolithic tuff and silicified tuff) in Chorrillo Miraflores Valley (Tierra del Fuego province, Chile) promoted the development of joint multidisciplinary research between archaeological teams working in the North of the Grande Island. This research program included the systematic survey of the Miraflores source, petrographic and geochemical characterization of the two available rock types and their identification in several archaeological sites of Tierra del Fuego. Recent projects have revealed their presence in other extant archaeological lithic collections of southern Patagonia, enhancing the role of Miraflores rocks in discussions on technological, cultural interaction, circulation and use issues by southernmost Patagonia hunter-gatherers. This paper summarizes the contribution of this research program. First, Miraflores ryolithic tuff and silicified tuff are widely distributed within Grande Island archaeological record and they are also represented at sites outside the island. Secondly, indirect available dates indicate that Miraflores rocks were used by human populations during the last 3000 yr. Finally, ICP-MS analyses of natural and archaeological samples show that, although Miraflores geochemical signal is relatively homogeneous, slight variations allow the identification of three geochemical subgroups.

Keywords : Lithic raw materials; Chorrillo Miraflores source; Geochemical analyses; Lithic technology; Tierra del Fuego.

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