A new approach to the study of lithic tools of ancient “Las Vegas” culture. Santa Elena Ecuador

Abstract

The history of the study of the Las Vegas culture illustrates an aspect of the scientific process: it is ad- visable to review repeatedly the interpretation of archaeological evidence because the development of more advanced techniques of analysis result in better interpretations of the past. Several examples of scientific progress in Ecuadorian archaeology are presented, but this study focuses on the lithic techno- logy of the Las Vegas culture known from evidence recovered from habitation sites located on the Santa Elena Peninsula that were occupied during the Early Holocene. We summarize the manufacture of Vegas tools based on their morphology, but we emphasize an innovative program of systematic micros- copic observation that has resulted in the inference of the functions of ancient tools. This interpretation is based on the identification of patterns of use wear or damage (microscopic striations and zones of polish) that appear on the edges of the lithic flakes manufactured by Vegas people. It is suggested that one lithic flake functioned to work bone or deer antler, while another was used to process dry animal hide. The next step in this investigation is to replicate some Vegas flake tools using local stone material in Santa Elena. Then it will be necessary to undertake experimental activities (like cutting and scraping a variety of materials such as vegetable fibers and animal flesh and bones) in order to produce use wear patterns on the duplicate tools that correspond to known activities. By comparing the experimental tools with ancient Vegas tools, it will be possible to infer more precisely the activities performed by the ancient inhabitants of the coast of Ecuador.