Projectile points are one of the most commonly preserved artefacts at archaeological sites worldwide, yet few studies have investigated how hunting and warfare intended use affected the design and morphological variation of this technology. This paper presents the techno-typological study carried out on seven bone projectile points closely associated to a burial assemblage excavated from El Alto 5 (~ 550 cal BP, Sierras of Córdoba, Argentina). The bone point assemblage provides a useful comparative model for interpreting the function of arrowpoints where this contextual data is unavailable, concerning primarily with the question of how archaeologists can accurately differentiate the arrow tips used for defense or attack from those used for hunting. Bone arrowpoints have barbed shoulders to resist removal from the wound and stems with serrated edges for a secure hafting. They required shafts few millimeter thicker than stone-tipped arrows for hafting, involving more kinetic energy to inflict severe injuries. The identification of 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 of Sierras of Córdoba and neighboring regions, where most bone points occurred as domestic refuse and are not directly associated to human skeletal remains.
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