Early human occupations in Western Santa Cruz Province, Southernmost South America

This paper discusses basic tendencies in the characteristics of the early archaeological record corresponding to human occupation near the eastern flank of the Andean range, at the southern end of South America. Lithic artifacts are analyzed within an organization of technology perspective and are discussed according to Borrero''s ecological model of the peopling of Patagonia. The characteristics of the lithic artifacts along with raw material provenience at the oldest levels at sites Cerro Casa de Piedra 7 and Chorrillo Malo 2, match our expectations for an exploration or early colonization phase in the peopling of the space. In addition, the range of variation of tools is similar to that present at early sites located to the east of the area. Some differences at these sites are already evident. Among these are the higher tool deposition rates at sites located close to Pampa del Asador, a known source of black obsidian that was used by early inhabitants of Patagonia. This poses some new questions that should be addressed regionally, taking into account the regional availability of lithic resources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]