Abstract

KOHAN, Patricio. Quartzite selection in Morro Blanco for the Manufacturing of engraving tools (Jujuy, Argentina). Zaranda ideas [online]. 2019, vol.17, n.1, pp.38-56. ISSN 1853-1296.

The transition period between the middle and late Holocene in the Puna of Jujuy (3500-2000 years BP) accounts for a variety of technological, social and cultural changes within the human groups that inhabited it. The passage from a hunting-gathering strategy to a productive strategy had an impact in every activity sphere, including technology. Such is the case of Morro Blanco, an archaeological site most notable for its rock art and lithic assemblages. The relationship between both lines of evidence has been recently analysed, having identified an artefactual assemblage designated as potentially engraving tools, related to the manufacture of petroglyphs. When analysing the aforementioned assemblage, the presence of artefacts and tools manufactured almost exclusively in quartzite was noted. The present article evaluates the presence of this raw material in the sites, determining whether there was an intentional selection process. The main objective of this article is to delve into the first step of the manufacturing process of the potential engraving tools from a technological point of view, emphasising the importance quartzite had in the process of intentionally selecting lithic raw materials suitable for this tools, supporting the hypothesis that this tools were in fact used to manufacture engravings.

Keywords : Puna of Jujuy; Lithic technology; Raw material selection; Quartzite; Late Holocene.

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