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6. Investigations at Laguna de Limones: Suggestions for a Change in the Theoretical Direction of Cuban Archaeology
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New Early Tradition Stone Tool Industries / 65 and complex sites of the early tradition in all of Cuba. Within its limits all of the early pretribal artifact types reported to date in northwest Villa Clara are present. Preliminary study of the artifacts from Chuchita 1 reveals the complete cycle of stone tool production.We recorded cores, hard silex hammerstones that become cores when they break, and thick stone blocks that function as anvils or passive hammers. Preforms, debitage, and spent cores are common. On the striking platforms of some thin blades we noted traces of punctiform impact, probably evidence of some kind of indirect percussion (Piel-Desruisseaux 1989). Raw Materials We recorded a total of 43 Jibá sites, the most important of which are aligned with the Veloz deposit, mentioned earlier. A select range of chalcedonies from this source was used in the manufacture of Jibá tools. On certain terraces we found clear evidence of exploitation; in some cases thousands of cores and basic forms were left behind as the result of this activity. The systematic selection of certain varieties of stone over others minimized the risk of breakage. Toolmaking Techniques At Jibá sites we observed satisfactory preparation and moderate dimensions (5–10 cm) on 75 percent of the cores. These generally have a simple striking platform and a slightly convex striking surface with consecutive flake scars, though some cores have two opposite or independent striking planes. In both cases the striking platforms present steep angles. The backs of the cores maintain their natural cortex until they are almost used up, facilitating the toolmaker’s grip. As in all of Cuba’s early stone tool traditions, in Jibá the percentage of retouching is low; tool use generally is indicated by edges prepared for specific functions. Tool Types The use repertory of Jibá exceeds that of Tecas and Seboruco. Flake-blade cores prevail in the Jibá collections. As in Seboruco, cores similar to those of the European Levallois and Mousterian traditions also are present. In their terminal state these centripitally reduced cores resemble discs. Although polyfunctional core tools are rare, massive partial bifaces (Figure 5.6) stand out, including coup de point and lageniform types (Bordes 1965) previously unreported in Cuba and the Caribbean (Villavicencio 1995). Among typical blade tools are regular and overshot (outrepassé) blades (Tixier 1961), sharp blades with curved backs, scrapers (some on cores), burins both simple and multiple, on blades and flakes; perforators, and retouched truncated blades. Some of the blade tools are noteworthy for excellent craftsmanship. Common flake tools include side scrapers and denticulates as well as notched and re- 66 / Morales Santos touched flakes. Tools with hafts or peduncles are represented by projectile points with deep flake scars on the base. The percentage of secondary modification is low; more commonly use is identified by edges designed for specific functions. Summary and Conclusions To reiterate, we lack absolute dates for the early stone tool industries of northwest Villa Clara; thus we are unable to determine precisely when the tools were in use or which industry came first. All we can do is indicate the presence of more or less technological complexity (Figure 5.7) among the three groups as determined via cluster analysis, conventional techno-typological analysis, and, in smaller measure, by stratigraphic association. Yet, while we cannot discount other possibilities— simpler tools may be related to alternative sources of raw materials or to circumstantial expediencies—the characteristics that determine each group coincide, in general, with concrete stages of evolution in stone tool industries across the globe. Our identification of the Tecas industry remains controversial, in comparison with better-defined lithic industries. It consists of cobbles, atypical flakes, and amorphous fragments barely modified for use. Seboruco, long recognized in Cuba (Jiménez 1948), consists of typical massive flake-blade artifacts made on largegrained varieties of stone, principally silicified calcites. Jibá, which my colleagues Figure 5.6. Partial biface handaxe of the Jibá industry. [34.238.138.162] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 19:13 GMT) Figure 5.7. Techno-typological order of the early stone tool industries of northwest Villa Clara, based on the results of cluster analysis. 68 / Morales Santos and I identify as a regional industry in northwest Villa Clara, coincides to some degree with the technological and typological norms of Seboruco, though the inventory is greater and the tools are executed on better-quality stone, an adaptation that positively affected the toolmaking cycle. In the...