Tecnología lítica, modos e intensidad ocupacional en Patagonia septentrional: uso humano del sitio Cueva Yagui (Neuquén, Argentina)

A techno-morphological analysis of the lithic assemblages recovered from the excavation of the Cueva Yagui site, located in intermediate spaces (1.200-1.800 masl) of the Barrancas-Buta Ranquil locality (northern Neuquén province, Northern Patagonia, Argentina) is presented. Two temporal blocks were defined with signs of human use from the middle Holocene (ca. 8900 calendar years BP) to the late (746 calendar years BP). The objective of the work is to evaluate the technological strategies implemented by hunter-gatherer groups to inhabit the site. The first results show that the rate of lithic material discard increased significantly during the late occupation. This increase is observed in the greater amount of formatized artifacts and projectile points. The bone, ceramic, botanical and rock art evidence studied at the site indicate a comparatively higher occupational intensity than other sites in the region.