Early Evidence of Atlatl Use in the Titicaca Basin: A Lithic, Microwear, and Typological Analysis

Cuellar L.; Smallwood A.M.; Aldenderfer M.; Flores-Blanco L. · Lithic Technology (2025) · DOI: 10.1080/01977261.2024.2427447

Resumen

We present three atlatl hooks unearthed at the Jiskairumoko and Kaillachuro archaeological sites dated to the Terminal Archaic and Early Formative periods (5000–3000 BP). Using morphological analysis–a typological comparison with eleven other specimens recovered from various sites in the South-Central Andes–and high-power microwear analysis, we demonstrate that the three artifacts recovered from Jiskairumoko and Kaillachuro functioned as atlatl hooks and assign probable atlatl types for each. Our findings support the early use of atlatl weaponry in the Titicaca Basin, as well as support its continued use after the adoption of the bow and arrow system. Beyond the presentation of our data, we propose a strategy for the study of hooks that will enable Andean researchers to infer the type of atlatl system employed.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos