O Holoceno inicial no centro da América do Sul: abordagem tecnofuncional das indústrias líticas dos sítios Santa Elina e Abrigo do Sol – MT

Abstract

The Santa Elina and Abrigo do Sol archaeological sites in the state of Mato Grosso provide relevant chronological series for the Early Holocene period. However, research concerning their lithic industries had not been deepened. The occupations from this period at both sites were linked to the Itaparica tradition due to the morphology of some lithic pieces. Therefore, this research was used to conduct a global analysis of the collections from both sites based on a technological and techno-functional approach to the lithic industries. This was done to compare them with the surrounding lithic industries, particularly those from the Brazilian Central Plateau, which are classified within the Itaparica technocomplex. As a result, we obtained significant findings regarding this period of settlement in central South America. These include the definition of operational chains, production methods, and the functional potential of the produced lithic instruments, in addition to their disassociation from contemporary industries included in the Itaparica technocomplex. Moreover, it is observed that during this period these shelters were not used as permanent dwellings in the region, but rather as sites of support, passages, or for specific short-term activities, interpreted through the low quantity of archaeological material and the absence of stages in the lithic tool production process.