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Research carried out in the western region of the Santa Cruz province (Patagonia, Argentina), indicates a widespread and simultaneous use of diverse weapons with different launching modes during the Late Holocene. Bow and arrow, spear and/or darts and boleadoras were used as part of adaptive strategies appropriate for a changing environmental context. We recently suggested a prevalence of bow and arrow towards the end of the Late Holocene. The aim of this work is to define a chronology that will allow us to discuss the causes behind the introduction of the bow and arrow and the time it was abandoned. A further goal is to discuss the existence of an immediate replacement of the previous weapons (spears and/or darts) for the bow and arrow. Several factors (social, environmental, ecological and technological) that could explain its beginning, permanence and discard will be analyzed. We are especially interested in emphasizing the short period of its presence in the region, established circa 800/900 BP till 1520 AD as documented by Pigafetta in his chronicle. This work includes the analysis of more than 400 lithic points recovered in different sites within the region. Some of these are related to absolute dates that have been compared with other chronologies of specific technologies from the Late Holocene. Results are discussed taking into consideration the profound changes that occurred in the organizational systems of hunter-gatherer societies during this period. These gave a functional significance to the bow and arrow and other technologies. We consider this work is a contribution to understand the role of new technologies in a changing social context. Thus, we present original data and essential discussion relevant for south American and global archaeological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which archery technology affected social organization in the Andes region of South America remains understudied. To identify the timing and consequences of archery technology in the Lake Titicaca Basin, this analysis examines metric data from 1179 projectile points from the region, 11–1.0 cal. ka. We find that the greatest decrease in projectile point size occurred across the Late/Terminal Archaic and Formative/Tiwanaku period boundaries, 5.0 and 1.5 cal. ka, respectively. We do not find a statistically significant decrease in size during any other transition, including the Terminal Archaic/Formative boundary, which was previously hypothesized to have been the time when archery technology first appeared in the region. These results instead favor the hypothesis that archery technology first entered the region during the Terminal Archaic Period, 5.0–3.5 cal ka. We furthermore observe that this technological transition coincided with the growth of settlements, a surge in the use of exotic goods such as obsidian, a low level of inter-group violence, and incipient agropastoralism—a pattern that intensified during the subsequent Formative period when monumental ceremonial centers emerged. These findings lead us to propose a model for South American archery technology in which its appearance after 5000 years ago contributed to the emergence of new cooperative dynamics that expanded regional exchange networks and community aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we will present the information obtained from a set of bifacial tanged quartz points found at rock art shelter Oyola 7, located in the El Alto-Ancasti mountain range, Catamarca province, Argentina. These stone tools date back to the 1st millennium of the Common Era. We detail the technological characteristics of this assemblage, primarily manufactured in quartz, and analyze their association with different types of weapons, suggesting their possible use with bows and arrows. Additionally, we will inquire about the significance of this assemblage at this particular archaeological site, as it is almost the only one where we have identified this type of stone tool. Finally, we reflect on the presence of bows and arrows in this region during the historical period studied, while also proposing an alternative perspective based on a locally situated understanding of social processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Philippines is a biodiversity hotspot with four endemic wild pig species. The Philippine Warty Pig is a medium to large size mammal that is usually solitary. They commonly exhibit crop raiding behavior, and hunting by farmers and poachers decreases populations of this species, which is listed as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This study was conducted to determine the level of awareness of Philippine Warty Pig conservation practices among locals in sitio Datal Bad, West Lamidan, Don Marcelino Davao Occidental, Philippines. Responses (N = 50) were gathered by a survey questionnaire. Respondents were highly aware of Philippine Warty Pigs and policies toward wildlife conservation. They reported hunting pigs using air guns 'sorit', bow and arrow 'papana', harpoon 'bangkaw', and snare 'lit-ag'. The respondents added that they performed religious rituals and farming that may pose threats to Philippine Warty Pigs. They also manifested a willingness to work with government and academic institutions to enhance knowledge about conservation of pigs and other wildlife in their locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uvs Province, located in the northwestern region of Mongolia, is rich in ancient archaeological and cultural monuments. Among these, numerous stone monuments represent different historical periods. Since 2015, the joint Mongolian-American "Western Mongolia" research project team has been conducting archaeological surveys and excavations in the territory of Zuunkhangai sum, discovering, documenting, and excavating various archaeological sites. This article reviews 32 deer stones, including 16 previously recorded stelae and 16 newly discovered ones from the area of Zuunkhangai sum. Most of these deer stones belong to the category without animal depictions, while a few feature realistic or abstract images of deer. Some of the stones have preserved traces of ochre paint in the carved recesses, as well as distinctive engravings, such as a large bow and arrow and a pair of spears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]