Bone tools of Late Holocene hunter‐gatherer‐fishers of North‐Central Chile: Case study of the Punta Teatinos assemblage

Abstract

During the Late Holocene, important changes can be identified in the social dynamics of hunter‐gatherer populations in different regions of the Southern Andes. These transformations are associated with processes of demographic growth, territoriality, increased social complexity, technological innovations, and intensified exploitation of the environment. One of the technological transformations associated with these processes is the popularization of bone instruments. In this study, we discuss the functions of bone tools made by Late Holocene coastal hunters‐gatherers of North‐Central Chile, by carrying out a morphological characterization and identifying use‐wear patterns on their surfaces. Our results show that bone technology was used for hunting, fishing, and gathering activities, from flint working to processing vegetal fibres and hide. A reduce number of artefacts had an ornamental use as well. These results suggest a varied and intensive exploitation of the surrounding space by coastal groups, where bones of land animals constituted an important part of the raw materials used in bone industry. Also, we argue that some bone artefacts were elements structuring social relations, as they participated in flows of information and social networks. We conclude by arguing that the popularization of bone industry reflects the dynamics of social complexity, as well as how bone was integrated as a productive, economic, and social resource in the process of coastal hunters and gatherers who inhabited the area.

Selection preferences for animal species used in bone-tool-manufacturing strategies in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…The role of animals in structuring elements of human society, on the other hand, is well attested [ 2 , 3 ], as is the role of bone tools in social networks [ 15 ]. The development of selfhood has been shown to be sometimes influenced by our interactions with animals [ 119 ], and certain social behaviours of animals may be appropriated by people to express human qualities.…”

“…The advent of bone tools in many societies accompanied increased social complexity and technological innovations by participating in flows of social networks and information [ 14 , 15 ]. Social zooarchaeology aims to address such questions as the symbolic role of animals and how this affected bone selection and bone-working technology among human societies [ 16 ].…”