Martin Giesso
Northeastern Illinois University, Anthropology, Faculty Member
Research Interests:
A B S T R A C T We studied the organization of mobility of hunter-gatherers groups of northwestern Patagonia (Argentina) from an interdisciplinary perspective. We combined geochemical and technological characterization of obsidian... more
A B S T R A C T We studied the organization of mobility of hunter-gatherers groups of northwestern Patagonia (Argentina) from an interdisciplinary perspective. We combined geochemical and technological characterization of obsidian assemblages from surface and stratigraphic contexts spanning the Holocene, and a preliminary geoarchaeolo-gical study of the sources. The goals were to assess the provenance, mode of supply, use, and discard of obsidian artifacts on the basis of information on the structure of the two main regional sources: Cerro Huenul, located in the lowlands, and Laguna del Maule, located in the Andean highlands. We conducted geoarchaeological field sampling at different altitudes of the Barrancas River fluvial deposits to study the geomorphic impact on the secondary structure of the highland source. Preliminary geoarchaeological results allow extending the area of availability up to 90 km towards the lowlands from the outcrops. In addition, we performed non-destructive XRF analyses on 266 lithic artifacts, which were placed along a continuum of reduction. 89% of the artifacts corresponded to the local Cerro Huenul source, while 11% to Laguna del Maule. While the artifacts made on Cerro Huenul obsidian were represented by the full reduction sequence, those from Laguna del Maule are only represented by advanced stages. We integrate these results with information on the frequencies of projectile points, ceramics, and rock-art motifs for the two main archaeological sites in the region: Cueva Huenul 1 and Cueva Yagui. These proxies indicate that the sites have different place use histories, providing a scheme for the analysis of human use of the regional landscape.
Research Interests:
Detailed information from projectil points of a burial exhumed in the Uspallata Usina Sur archaeological site, Mendoza province, western Argentina, is reported. This burial, belonging from the Late Agricultural-ceramic Period (1000-1475... more
Detailed information from projectil points of a burial exhumed in the Uspallata Usina Sur
archaeological site, Mendoza province, western Argentina, is reported. This burial, belonging from
the Late Agricultural-ceramic Period (1000-1475 AD) of the archaeological regional sequence
yielded offerings with a number of metal and stone artifacts, among them projectile points made
with obsidian. Chemical XRF analysis showed that this rock was originated in the Arroyo de Las
Cargas source located at 300 km south of the find. Detailed morphological studies reveled that
the sample has a remarkably morphological, technical and dimensional uniformity. An experiment
reproducing these pieces allowed an approach to its reduction sequence using a model that
considered the stages and techniques involved in the manufacture. Due to that the raw material
procurement was accomplished in a source from south Mendoza and similar designs are made in
that region, is it possible to suggest that they were manufactured by hunter-gatherers living in that
area and that entered by exchange in the context of farming societies.
archaeological site, Mendoza province, western Argentina, is reported. This burial, belonging from
the Late Agricultural-ceramic Period (1000-1475 AD) of the archaeological regional sequence
yielded offerings with a number of metal and stone artifacts, among them projectile points made
with obsidian. Chemical XRF analysis showed that this rock was originated in the Arroyo de Las
Cargas source located at 300 km south of the find. Detailed morphological studies reveled that
the sample has a remarkably morphological, technical and dimensional uniformity. An experiment
reproducing these pieces allowed an approach to its reduction sequence using a model that
considered the stages and techniques involved in the manufacture. Due to that the raw material
procurement was accomplished in a source from south Mendoza and similar designs are made in
that region, is it possible to suggest that they were manufactured by hunter-gatherers living in that
area and that entered by exchange in the context of farming societies.
Tiwanaku was an important center of Andean civilization from AD 500 to AD 1000. Its urban inhabitants had access to exotic lithic raw materials, including obsidian. Samples from three obsidian quarries, 147 obsidian artifacts from eight... more
Tiwanaku was an important center of Andean civilization from AD 500 to AD 1000. Its urban inhabitants had access to exotic lithic raw materials, including obsidian. Samples from three obsidian quarries, 147 obsidian artifacts from eight different sectors in ...
Research Interests:
Reports on the discovery of the Chivay obsidian source responsible for most obsidian found at the site of Tiwanaku, Bolivia.
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Page 1. | 7 Intersecciones en Antropología 8: 7-26. 2007. ISSN 1666-2105 Copyright © Facultad de Ciencias Sociales - UNCPBA - Argentina Andrés G. Laguens. CONICET, Museo de Antropología, Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades ...
Research Interests:
... Document Information: Title: Historical Dictionary of Ancient South America. Author(s): LouiseEllis-Barrett, (Librarian, Downsend School, Leatherhead, UK). Citation: Louise Ellis-Barrett, (2009) "Historical Dictionary of Ancient... more
... Document Information: Title: Historical Dictionary of Ancient South America. Author(s): LouiseEllis-Barrett, (Librarian, Downsend School, Leatherhead, UK). Citation: Louise Ellis-Barrett, (2009) "Historical Dictionary of Ancient South America", Reference Reviews, Vol. ...
Publikationsansicht. 35199106. Stone tool production in the Tiwanaku heartland : the impact of state emergence and expansion on local households / (2000). Giesso, Martin. Abstract. Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of... more
Publikationsansicht. 35199106. Stone tool production in the Tiwanaku heartland : the impact of state emergence and expansion on local households / (2000). Giesso, Martin. Abstract. Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Anthropology, August 2000.. ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This paper presents a synthesis of geological, geochemical, and archaeological information for the Huenul obsidian source located in northern Patagonia (Neuquén Province, Argentina). Important information recently published on other... more
This paper presents a synthesis of geological, geochemical, and archaeological information for the Huenul
obsidian source located in northern Patagonia (Neuquén Province, Argentina). Important information
recently published on other obsidian sources in the South-Central Andes of Argentina and Chile provide the
context for this endeavor, allowing evaluation of the role of this lithic source within the network of human
mobility and interaction on different spatial scales. It is suggested here that Huenul obsidian is genetically
related with the Tilhué Formation, already been mapped in detail. This regional information provides
a search model for geoarchaeological surveys. This raw material displays a remarkable supra-regional
distribution in the archaeological record, although it is regionally under-represented. Three alternative
hypotheses explaining the distribution of Huenul obsidians allow evaluation of technological decisions,
marginal vs. nuclear role of certain spaces for past human societies, and territorial organization.
obsidian source located in northern Patagonia (Neuquén Province, Argentina). Important information
recently published on other obsidian sources in the South-Central Andes of Argentina and Chile provide the
context for this endeavor, allowing evaluation of the role of this lithic source within the network of human
mobility and interaction on different spatial scales. It is suggested here that Huenul obsidian is genetically
related with the Tilhué Formation, already been mapped in detail. This regional information provides
a search model for geoarchaeological surveys. This raw material displays a remarkable supra-regional
distribution in the archaeological record, although it is regionally under-represented. Three alternative
hypotheses explaining the distribution of Huenul obsidians allow evaluation of technological decisions,
marginal vs. nuclear role of certain spaces for past human societies, and territorial organization.
Research Interests:
Trace element analysis has been performed on 911 samples from 106 archaeological sites and more than 100 samples from six sources. The samples come from archaeological sites located in all environments within a large area located between... more
Trace element analysis has been performed on 911 samples from 106 archaeological sites and more than 100 samples
from six sources. The samples come from archaeological sites located in all environments within a large area located
between 32º and 37º south and 67º and 72º west, and in a chronological range of 9000 to 300 years BP. Analyses were
performed to determine the spatial distribution of sources and to investigate the potential of these data to test models of
mobility and exchange proposed for different regions in that area. Three different X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
spectrometers were used: two energy dispersive and one wavelength dispersive. This paper discusses some problems of
interpretation of archaeological and geological records related to the application of different methods and equipment.
This experience shows the need to improve the geochemical sampling of sources and to confront different methods of
analysis and calibration. The results provide an adequate resolution for discriminating the use of different sources
throughout the Holocene, indicating variable spatial and temporal distributions. The general trend shows a preferential
use of the sources located in the mountainous regions. Las Cargas source, used since the early Holocene (ca. 9000-8000
BP), together with Laguna del Maule source, were the most important sources in the entire area (including eastern and
western slopes of the Andes).
from six sources. The samples come from archaeological sites located in all environments within a large area located
between 32º and 37º south and 67º and 72º west, and in a chronological range of 9000 to 300 years BP. Analyses were
performed to determine the spatial distribution of sources and to investigate the potential of these data to test models of
mobility and exchange proposed for different regions in that area. Three different X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
spectrometers were used: two energy dispersive and one wavelength dispersive. This paper discusses some problems of
interpretation of archaeological and geological records related to the application of different methods and equipment.
This experience shows the need to improve the geochemical sampling of sources and to confront different methods of
analysis and calibration. The results provide an adequate resolution for discriminating the use of different sources
throughout the Holocene, indicating variable spatial and temporal distributions. The general trend shows a preferential
use of the sources located in the mountainous regions. Las Cargas source, used since the early Holocene (ca. 9000-8000
BP), together with Laguna del Maule source, were the most important sources in the entire area (including eastern and
western slopes of the Andes).
Research Interests:
Northwestern Patagonia is located in a tectonically active part of the southern Andes (Argentina), which has facilitated the formation of obsidian, including pyroclastic deposits that have been affected by geomorphic processes, resulting... more
Northwestern Patagonia is located in a tectonically active part of the southern Andes (Argentina), which has facilitated the formation of obsidian, including pyroclastic deposits that have been affected by geomorphic processes, resulting in a complex obsidian landscape. Until now, the geomorphic relocation of obsidian in the landscape has not been a focus of systematic research, and this hampers our understanding of prehistoric human mobility. We present an updated assessment of the regional availability of different obsidian types based on results from our research program, which combines geoarchaeological survey and geochemical characterization to understand the properties and distribution of obsidian. This robust ‘source-scape’ provides a robust foundation for reconstructing patterns of lithic provisioning and discard. Our results suggest that interpretations of obsidian availability across the landscape should be more nuanced than is typically acknowledged. Based on our improved ‘source-scape’, we discuss the patterns observed in an archaeological XRF database. When compared to the geoarchaeological reconstruction of obsidian availability, the archaeological record conforms to a distance-decay pattern. Contrary to previous interpretations, we suggest that the distribution of obsidian types is not isomorphic with human home ranges. This geoarchaeological research program provides a basis for integrating the archaeological records of different Andean regions.