The study size patterns in projectile points (n=39) from six sites in the Argentine Andes (29–34°S) associated with 17 radiocarbon dates with medians spanning 3080–470 cal BP. This is the region’s first attempt to metrically distinguish arrows and darts, which is based on shoulder or maximum width, following Shott. The northern part of the study area (29°S) includes the earliest arrow point, slightly after 3080 cal BP. This suggests a rapid spread of this technology from the central Andes 16–26°S, where early arrows are dated ~3500–3000 cal BP. However, at 32 and 34°S, arrows are not clearly present until 1280 cal BP. For 1280–400 cal BP (European contact), 96% of points were identified as arrows, suggesting the bow and arrow replaced spear-based weapon systems. A single late dart from 34°S may reflect a late use of this space by hunter-gatherers. The predominance of arrows beginning at 1280 cal BP is associated with broader changes such as demographic growth, reduced mobility, low-level food production, and herding economies, following similar trends in other regions.

中文翻译：

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弓箭在阿根廷安第斯山脉（29-34ºS）中的引入：初步的公制近似

来自阿根廷安第斯山脉（29-34°S）六个地点的射弹点（n = 39）的研究规模模式，与17个放射性碳年代有关，中位数跨越3080-470 cal BP。这是继Shott之后，该地区首次尝试根据肩膀或最大宽度来区分箭头和飞镖。研究区域的北部（29°S）包括最早的箭头，在3080 cal BP之后不久。这表明该技术已在安第斯山脉中部16–26°S迅速传播，那里的早期箭头标出时间约为3500–3000 cal BP。但是，在32和34°S时，直到1280 cal BP箭头才清晰可见。对于1280–400 cal BP（欧洲接触），将96％的点识别为箭头，这表明弓箭取代了基于矛的武器系统。来自34°S的单个飞镖可能反映了狩猎采集者对该空间的后期使用。