A Mammoth Undertaking

Author(s): Errett Callahan; David Wescott

Year: 1994

Summary

J. Whittaker: “The Ginsburg experiment” – butchering circus elephant with Stanford, Bonnichsen, Morlan, G. Haynes in 1978. Focus here on spear tests to examine hafting and basal ends of Clovis points. A few hand throws – penetration only to point hafting. Most throws with simple stick atlatl, unweighted – penetration half depth of chest cavity. Concludes atlatl necessary to kill elephant with Clovis weaponry. Variety of points and haftings tried, some illustrated. Deep slot, tapered distal end on foreshaft as wide as point base, not just flute, seems to work best. Penetration usually ends with foreshaft if shaft is larger diameter, so long foreshafts best. Best results with long flexible unfletched spear. [Useful discussion and illustration of hafting alternatives, unfortunately he never did the detailed evaluation of the alternatives that was planned.]

Cite this Record

A Mammoth Undertaking. Errett Callahan, David Wescott. Bulletin of Primitive Technology. 7: 23-39. 1994 ( tDAR id: 419221)

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Keywords

General
Atlatl • Hunting • Spear • Weapon

Geographic Keywords
USA

Temporal Keywords
Newest Era

Spatial Coverage

min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager

Record Identifiers

ExArc Id(s): 5412

Notes

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