Native American projectile points
Native American projectile points are carefully crafted artifacts traditionally made for various purposes, primarily associated with hunting and gathering. These points, often thin and symmetrical, were designed to be mounted on shafts for use in weapons such as spears and arrows, although many were utilized as knives or tools. The base width of a projectile point can indicate the type of weapon it was intended for, as it needs to fit the corresponding shaft size. While most points were fashioned from flaked stone, such as flint or quartz, some were created from ground stone materials like slate and even bone. The study of these points by archaeologists has provided valuable insights into the diverse cultures and technological developments of Native American tribes over time. Notably, prehistoric groups like the Folsom people are known for their distinctive projectile point designs. The variety of shapes and materials used in these artifacts reflect the adaptability and resourcefulness of Native American peoples across different regions. Understanding projectile points is crucial for appreciating the historical context and the craftsmanship of Native American cultures.
Native American projectile points
Tribes affected: Pantribal
Significance: Projectile points tipped spears, arrows, and other tools for thousands of years in prehistoric North America
Projectile points are thin, symmetrical artifacts with bases thinned for mounting on shafts. The name is somewhat misleading, since many of these items were never used on projectiles (such as javelins or arrows), but rather were the points for thrusting spears; some clearly were used as knives and similar tools. Most points were made of flaked stone, though some were made of ground stone (especially slate) or bone. The width of the base of a point indicates the type of weapon on which it may have been used, since its basal width must approximate the width of the shaft on which it was mounted, and thick shafts could not be used for arrows. A few types of points had cylindrical bases and presumably were mounted in sockets at the tips of their shafts. Recognizing that the characteristics of projectile points vary greatly over time and among tribes, archaeologists have expended considerable energy in studying them, and the dates of manufacture for point types in North American now are largely known. The Folsom people are one prehistoric group that developed projectile points.
