Archaeological wooden awls from Punta Medanosa (North Coast of Santa Cruz, Argentina)

Abstract

In this article, we present the study of two wooden awls found near the archaeological site of Roca del Cura in the archaeological area of Punta Medanosa (Santa Cruz, Argentina). Our aim was to identify the wooden taxa, as well as provide a morphological description of the tools. The artifacts functionality is discussed in relation to other bone instruments found along the Northern Santa Cruz Coast (CNSC), including research on leather and basketry operating chains, undertaken by other researchers. The artifacts were examined under a binocular microscope. While histological sections of the wood were taken and compared against reference material and specialized bibliography. The wood was identified as Schinus sp. (molle); a shrub taxa that is still present in the surrounding area. We suggested the local manufacture of these tools, and that they may have been employed on soft materials such as fibers for basket weaving and ceramic decoration.