Archaeological research at the Las Brusquillas 3 site (Late Holocene, Pampean region, Argentina)

Abstract

This article presents the results of the analysis from the Las Brusquillas 3 site, located in the Interserrana grasslands of the Pampean region. The archaeological assemblage contains faunal remains, lithic artifacts, and mineral pigments from hunter-gatherer occupations dating to the Late Holocene (ca. 2,800 14C years BP). Here, we present a characterization of the stratigraphic sequence, a techno-morphological analysis of the lithic artifacts, and the zooarchaeological and taphonomic data of the faunal remains. e main objectives of this study are to evaluate the taphonomic history and formation processes of the faunal assemblage, identify the animal resources exploited, and characterize the lithic technology. Most of the archaeological material was recovered from a fluvio-lacustrine deposit, where a marshy palaeosol had developed. The results indicate that multiple human activities occurred at the site, including the processing and consumption of faunal resources, and the manufacture, re-sharpening, and use of lithic implements. The main prey was the guanaco and smaller-sized animals were used as complementary resources. The lithic technology is characterized by unifacial aking, a preferential use of quartzite, and an individual raw material provisioning strategy.