ABSTRACT

We analyze the finding of a lithic projectile point at more than 100 meters depth in the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) in relation to submerged landscapes. On the one hand, this underwater evidence is examined as part of an inundated archaeological landscape supporting the hypothesized Pleistocene coastal dispersion in southern South America. On the other hand, the lithic projectile point is evaluated as a submerged isolated artefact as the result of human movements through aquatic environments due to foraging and transport practices in the sea during the Holocene. Technological properties and post-depositional modifications of the projectile point are described, and the artefact location is assessed in light of paleogeographic models. The presented evidence does not support an early human occupation in the region, but the particular archaeological detection offers insights to the alternative explanation, and to the potential of underwater explorations in the region.

摘要

我们分析了在比格尔海峡（阿根廷火地岛）超过 100 米深处发现的与水下景观相关的石块抛射点。一方面，这种水下证据被认为是被淹没的考古景观的一部分，支持假设的南美洲南部更新世沿海分散。另一方面，由于全新世期间在海洋中的觅食和运输实践，人类在水生环境中运动的结果，将岩石抛射点评估为水下孤立的人工制品。描述了抛射点的技术特性和沉积后的修改，并根据古地理模型评估了人工制品的位置。所提供的证据不支持该地区的早期人类占领，