Fell Point Technology from Mendoza Province in Western Argentina

ABSTRACT

One of the most iconic remains from the South American Paleo-American record is the so-called Fishtail, or just “Fell” projectile point, a distinctive artifact that stands out due to its wide distribution from southern Mexico to southernmost South America. This research brief informs on new data and observations on two Fishtail points found in Mendoza province in western Argentina. Detailed techno-morphological observations showed two shape variations; one was comparable to the so-called stereotype, and the other with the lanceolate variant recorded among this kind of diagnostic artifact. Stratigraphic contexts spanning the Fishtail point's age of ∼11,000–10,000 radiocarbon years ago have been found in the region. This fact suggests that during the last millennium of the Pleistocene, hunter–gatherers using Fishtail points in their weaponry were foraging in the landscape in the lowlands of the southern Andean mountain range in western South America.

KEYWORDS:

• Paleo-Indian
• lithic technology
• Fishtail points
• South America
• Argentina
• Mendoza

Acknowledgements

I am deeply indebted to Víctor A. Durán for his invaluable support, help, and kindness during the documentation of the described specimens; Alejandro García for allowing me to observe the lithic artifacts from Agua de la Cueva; Omar M. Contreras and Luis E. Gantus (Solar Histórico “Casa de Ozamis”); and the park ranger Gustavo Vasca (Museo El Manzano) for his help and hospitality.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.