Abstract

HERMO, Darío et al. FIRST NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF LITHIC RAW MATERIAL SOURCES FROM DESEADO MASSIF (SANTA CRUZPROVINCE). Relaciones [online]. 2020, vol.45, n.1, pp.1-25. ISSN 0325-2221.

The landscape of Deseado Massif in Santa Cruzprovince, is dominated by Jurassic volcanic geologic formations. In this geologic framework, good quality lithic raw material has a great availability and variability. Regional archaeological record presents a long human occupation sequence starting in late Pleistocene. In this paper, neutron activation analysis is implemented to characterize geochemical variability in Cantera del Rojo (CDR) and other lithic quarries within the study area. In turn, the technique is applied on archaeological artifacts from Cueva Maripe site to evaluate raw material sources. Neutron activation analysis has been frequently used on obsidian, but very rarely on other kind of rocks. Thus, this paper constitutes the first application of this methodology to identify provisioning sources of different silica rocks. Results indicate statistically significant associations between one of the quarries (CDR), which allow us to establish a geochemical identity. The Cueva Maripe site artifacts analyzed were manufactured on raw materials sourced from D9 quarry and from another unknown source. This is the first application of neutron activation analysis to the study of silica rocks to resolve archaeological problems, so it represents a landmark on the raw material provenance studies in Argentina.

Keywords : Cueva Maripe - hunter-gatherers - Patagonia - provisioning sources - siliceous rocks.