First evidence of early peopling in the province of La Rioja (Argentina)
We present the first two Fishtail points identified in the province of La Rioja. Both come from the Runa Huasi collection, housed in the locality of Malanzán (Gral. Juan Facundo Quiroga Department). One specimen made of crystalline quartz was found on the surface at the Guanso site; it lacks both th...
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| Autores principales: | , , , , , |
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| Formato: | Artículo revista |
| Lenguaje: | Español |
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Instituto de Arqueología, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Universidad de Buenos Aires
2026
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| Acceso en línea: | https://revistascientificas.filo.uba.ar/index.php/Arqueologia/article/view/16800 |
| Aporte de: |
| Sumario: | We present the first two Fishtail points identified in the province of La Rioja. Both come from the Runa Huasi collection, housed in the locality of Malanzán (Gral. Juan Facundo Quiroga Department). One specimen made of crystalline quartz was found on the surface at the Guanso site; it lacks both the stem base and the distal portion of the blade. The other is a basalt preform, fractured in the lower part of the blade, which was also recovered from the surface at Los Colorados site. Its identification supports the distribution pattern of Paleoindian points in central Argentina, which are generally recorded as isolated surface finds, with only one site yielding more than a single specimen. Here, we describe their techno-morphological and metric characteristics, as well as the raw materials used in their manufacture. Finally, we reflect on two broader issues. First, we emphasize the importance of collections for the analysis, preservation, enhancement, and communication of archaeological heritage. Second, we reconsider current models for central Argentina in light of these new findings. We argue that they reinforce the hypothesis of small groups entering the region during an exploratory phase of the Pleistocene–Holocene transition. |
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