The Minas de Callorda site in Uruguay
(32o 51.90' S, 56o 25.30' W)
54. Possible Relatives in the Americas
Minas de Callorda site (Uruguay)
by George Weber
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The Minas de Callorda site in Uruguay |
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Location of the Minas de Callorda site. (adapted from Nami H.G. 2007. "Research in the Middle Negro River Basin (Uruguay) and the Palaeoindian Occupation of the Southern Cone". The Webber-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research) The two locations Rincon de Bonete sites 1 and 2 shown (on either site of the modern Rincon de Bonete dam) were quarries for high-quality cherts and silicifed limestone to the earliest inhabitants of Minas de Callorda. |
In Uruguay, palaeoindian remains and Fell projectile points have been found since the late 19th century but despite the rich archaeological heritage, little systematic excavation work and study has been done until recently. But re-recent examination of known sites and the review of existing collections with new excavations getting under way is changinging the picture. The Rio Negro basin in Urugua seems to have been a centre of late pleistocene human activity.
Dates from the south of the country now go back to 11,690 ±60 years from the present and more and older dates can be expected. The finds of Fell projectile points clearly establish the connection between Uruguay and the early "southern cone" cultures from Patagonia to Tierra del Fuego.
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The stratigraphy Total depth from modern surface to bedrock is 60-70 cm. |
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Fell type stone points from from the middle archaeological levels of Minas de Callorda. (this and following photographs/drawings are adapted from Nami H.G. 2007. "Research in the Middle Negro River Basin (Uruguay) and the Palaeoindian Occupation of the Southern Cone". The Webber-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Rsearch) |
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Endscrapers from the middle archaeological level of Minas de Callorda. |
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Fluted base from the lowest archaeological level of Minas de Callorda. |
Among web-sites with further information are:
- http://www.geocities.com/athens/parthenon/6994/uruguayi.htm
- http://www.rau.edu.uy/uruguay/historia/prehist.htm
- http://www.rau.edu.uy/uruguay/historia/pleistoceno.htm
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Last change 3 May 2007
