The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine Electronic Theses and Dissertations Fogler Library 2001 Lithic Analysis of Chipped Stone Artifacts Recovered From Quebrada Jaguay, Peru Benjamin R. Tanner Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons, and the Paleontology Commons Recommended Citation Tanner, Benjamin R., "Lithic Analysis of Chipped Stone Artifacts Recovered From Quebrada Jaguay, Peru" (2001). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 667. http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/667 This Open-Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. LITHIC ANALYSIS OF CHIPPED STONE ARTIFACTS RECOVERED FROM QUEBRADA JAGUAY, PERU BY Benjamin R. Tanner B.S. Florida State University, 1999 A THESIS Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (in Quaternary and Climate Studies) The Graduate School The University of Maine August, 2001 Advisory Committee: Daniel H. Sandweiss, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Quaternary and Climate Studies, Co-Advisor David Sanger, Professor of Anthropology and Quaternary and Climate Studies, Co- Advisor Martin Yates, Associate Scientist, Department of Geological Sciences James B. Richardson 111, Curator, Camegie Museum of Natural History and Professor of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh LIBRARY RIGHTS STATEMENT In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Maine, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for "fair use" copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the Librarian. It is understood that any copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Date: LITHIC ANALYSIS OF CHIPPED STONE ARTIFACTS RECOVERED FROM QUEBRADA JAGUAY, PERU By Benjamin R. Tanner Thesis Co-Advisors: Dr. Daniel H. Sandweiss and Dr. David Sanger An Abstract of the Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (in Quaternary and Climate Studies) August, 2001 Quebrada Jaguay, a Terminal Pleistocene to Early Holocene archaeological site in Southern Peru, is recognized as one of the few sites in the Americas that features evidence of a Paleoindian maritime adaptation. Faunal remains from this multi- component shell midden include shellfish, fish, crustaceans, and shorebirds. Lithic remains recovered from the site over the course of two field seasons (1996 and 1999) provide information about the technology of the site's inhabitants and afford comparisons with other contemporary sites. These lithic materials provide answers to questions dealing with lithic procurement and production strategies and questions about relationships with other groups along the coast. A systematic survey of several potential quarry sites conducted in 2000 offers useful information about source locations and compliments the lithic analysis. Methods used in the analysis provide a framework for future researchers in the area to use. At Quebrada Jaguay, there is a strong preference for finer-grained materials during the earliest occupation, with a wider variety of materials present later on. In general, as distance from the quarry increases, waste-flake size decreases. Obsidian, with its source in Aka, 130 krn distant from Quebrada Jaguay, demonstrates that the inhabitants of the site had some contact with the highlands. Lithic materials from the various components indicate later stage reduction, with primary production focused on the manufacture of use flakes from prepared cores, as well as the maintenance of bifacial and unifacial tools. In the Early Holocene component from the site, there is a shift from late-stage reduction to initial reduction. Quantification of debitage attributes permits the comparison of Quebrada Jaguay lithic materials to materials from Quebrada Tacahuay, another late Pleistocene maritime site. Because so few maritime Paleoindian sites have been discovered, Quebrada Jaguay provides a unique opportunity to study alternative Paleoindian lifeways (those not related to big-game hunting). The methodology used and analysis of the lithic materials recovered from the site provide a useful groundwork for future researchers to build on. When future work aimed at locating additional sites in the highlands is completed, we will understand much more about Paleoindian migration patterns and will potentially understand more about the initial settlement of the New World. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Gratitude is hereby expressed for the financial support afforded by Thor Heyerdahl for the 1999 and 2000 field seasons at Quebrada Jaguay. I would also like to extend appreciation to Drs. Daniel H. Sandweiss, David Sanger, Martin Yates, and James B. Richardson 111 for serving as committee members and for generously offering their time and assistance throughout all phases of this project. Furthermore, Dr. Daniel Sandweiss graciously allowed me to participate in all aspects of fieldwork in Peru, and offered much additional guidance, advice, and support thoughout all of the challenges of my graduate work. I could not imagine working with a better Professor. I would also like to thank Steve Bicknell for assisting me with artifact photography. I would like to send out my deepest gratitude to my parents, Bruce and Bonnie Tanner, who always offer encouragement and love, and are the greatest parents in the world. Also, I credit my Grandfather, Dr. William F. Tanner, for inspiring me ti pursue study in the sciences. I hope that I can one day make half the contribution that he has made. Finally, I would like to thank my love, Wendy, for showing me that the greatest things in life have nothing to do with school or science, but are instead found within our relationships, and are built from the heart. TABLE OF CONTENTS .. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .........................................................................-11 LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................vi ... LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................VIII Chapter 1. Introduction .........................................................................................1 Research Goals ..............................................................................-3 Site Setting.................................................................................... 6 History of Research ..........................................................................8 QJ-280 Components ........................................................................10 Sector I TP .........................................................................14 Sector I EHI ........................................................................14 Sector I EHII .......................................................................17 Sector II Below-Lnduration....................................................... 20 Sector II Above-Induration ......................................................24 Sector ID ..........................................................................-26 Sector IV ..........................................................................-26 Quebrada Tacahuay .......................................................................-26 2 . Background ......................................................................................-27 Central Andean Environment ...........................................................-27 History of Climate Change ................................................................30 Culture History ..............................................................................35 Early Precerarnic Period .........................................................36 Middle Precerarnic Period ........................................................45 Maritime Origins and A Final Word .....................................................46 3 . Methodology ......................................................................................49 Excavation Methods ........................................................................49 Sourcing Survey ...........................................................................-52 Field Methods ....................................................................-52 Laboratory Methods ...............................................................59 Lithic Analysis .............................................................................. 60 Research Questions ...............................................................60 Lithic Technology................................................................. 61 Sampling Procedure ...............................................................63 Laboratory Analysis ...............................................................66 4. Results............................................................................................ -71 Sourcing Survey Data .....................................................................71 Lithic Analysis ..............................................................................79 5 . Interpretation and Discussion .................................................................102 Sourcing