Prácticas tecnológicas en Puesto El Frío

We analyze the technological practices of hunter-gatherer societies that inhabited the open-air site of Puesto El Frío (La María Archaeological Locality, Santa Cruz) during the Late Holocene. Our study focuses on both surface and stratigraphic stone assemblages, considering factors related to the formation of the archaeological record. These groups applied different strategies for tool production, managing rocks from various sources. They acquired the raw material through different mechanisms: siliceous stones were obtained locally while obsidian came from more distant locations. Knapping activities reflect a structured use of the landscape observed in the locality: decortication was performed at nearby quarries, whereas core reduction and final tool shaping took place at the site. A variety of techniques were employed, mostly involving low labor investment, although some artifacts —such as bifaces and projectile points— required greater work and/or conservation. In this way, a toolkit was produced for multiple tasks associated with campsite activities.