Moving into an arid landscape: lithic technologies of the pleistocene-Holocene transition in the high-altitude basins of Imilac and Punta Negra, Atacama Desert

Abstract

In this work, we use taphonomic and technological analyses as a basis for study of the spatial and temporal variability of six lithic assemblages from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition (12,600 -11,000 cal BP), recovered in the Imilac and Punta Negra basins (3000 m. a.s.l.), Atacama Desert (24.5 degrees S). During the initial peopling of this area, the lithic sub-system was based on local raw material procurement and highly interconnected, complementary operative chains. This non-centralized structure resulted in even distribution of technical investment in the different stages of the reduction process, achieving great flexibility and responsiveness. We propose that this strategy allowed high mobility to coexist with a generalized subsistence economy. Finally, we discuss the results and how they relate at the regional scale. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.