The lytic stage and the categories used in Mexico and the United States to designate the oldest archaeological stages

Abstract

The article discusses the notion of the Lithic Stage and its subdivisions (Archaeolithic, Cenolithic, Protoneolithic) proposed in 1969 by pre-historian José Luis Lorenzo, who introduced it as a means of systematically organizing the most ancient archaeological carved and polished lithic material known up to that time in Mexico. These materials mark the stage that began with the arrival of ancient man to this territory (as hunter- gatherers) and ended with the discovery and spread of agriculture. The article also addresses the hypotheses of Gordon Willey and Alex Krieger concerning the classification and periodization of lithic materials from that period. Finally, the paper discusses the use of nomenclature in Mexican archaeology of northern Mexico based on the proposals developed in the states bordering Texas and Arizona, which raises a problem: by using concepts and categories from U.S. archaeology, one overlooks the very history of the development of Mexican archaeology. This situation limits and hinders the development and originality of what the archaeology of northern Mexico can study.