When humans were the hunted: bone-tipped arrow points in Prehispanic Sierras of Córdoba, Argentina

This paper presents the techno-typological study of seven bone projectile points closely associated with a burial assemblage excavated from El Alto 5 (~550 cal BP, Sierras of Córdoba, Argentina). The bone points provide a comparative model for interpreting the function of arrow points, primarily concerning how archaeologists can accurately differentiate the arrow tips used for warfare or hunting. Bone points have barbed shoulders to resist removal from the wound and serrated stems for secure hafting. They required shafts a few millimeters thicker than stone-tipped arrows for hafting, involving more kinetic energy to inflict severe injuries. Identifying a dark residue spattered over the blades opens the possibility that poison was applied to enhance the effectiveness of the shoot. The study is considered a starting point to build more accurate models to identify interpersonal violence during the Late Prehispanic Period, where most bone points occurred as domestic refuse of campsites.

本研究针对阿根廷科尔多瓦山脉El Alto 5遗址（校准年代约550 cal BP）出土的、与墓葬遗存密切相关的7件骨质投射器尖开展技术类型学研究。这批骨质投射器尖为解读箭镞功能提供了比较模型，重点解决考古学家如何精准区分用于战争与狩猎的箭镞类型这一问题。该类骨质投射器尖带有倒刺肩部以防止从伤口脱落，茎部带有锯齿结构以实现牢固装柄。其装柄所需的箭杆比石镞箭杆厚数毫米，需要更多动能以造成重伤。在刃部发现的深色溅射残留物，为推测其表面涂抹了毒药以提升射击效能提供了可能。本研究可为构建更精准的模型奠定基础，以识别前哥伦布晚期的人际暴力行为——该时期多数骨质投射器尖均作为营地生活垃圾被遗留下来。