Experimental Replication and Use of Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian Antler Projectile Points

Summary

J. Whittaker: Spanish Upper Paleolithic, transition from Solutrean to LM included intensification of deer, ibex, salmon, mollusc use and shift from lithic points to antler. Points are unbarbed, with beveled bases. Experiment to determine use-life factors. Used fresh N. Am. elk antler, 20 pts made with modern tools. Beveled, modern glue join to hardwood shaft, all used with same mainshaft, round, 31 mm diam, 2 m long. Hand thrown at 3-5 m at goat carcass. Total 249 throws, of which 51 were complete misses, 48 missed but penetrated soil, and 150 hit carcass [rather poor accuracy]. Point survival averaged 9.9 throws into soil or carcass. Only 2 pts snapped, others suffered only minor tip damage. Most carcass hits penetrated full length of pt + foreshaft, ca 25 cm to mainshaft. 1/3 of carcass hits penetrated rib cage, only 3 pts damaged, some broke ribs and penetrated.

Antler points more effective and durable than stone pts in other published tests. Shift from Solutrean stone to Magdalenian antler pts is shift from less costly but easier to maintain kit to more costly but more reliable one, reflecting critical needs for a seasonal (short opportunity) but intense (long planned) focus on big game.

[No atlatls in experiment, but these pts probably were used with them, and could be - in fact, modern French atlatlists often do. Lots of refs to other point + some atlatl experiments.]

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager

Record Identifiers

ExArc Id(s): 1410

Notes

Rights & Attribution: The information in this record was originally compiled by Dr. Roeland Paardekooper, EXARC Director.