Weights of Chipped Stone Points: A Clue to Their Functions
Author(s): Franklin Fenenga
Year: 1953
Summary
J. Whittaker: Weighed 884 points from 16 sites in CA plus 1 NV Anasazi, 1 NB 18th C Apache, 1 ND protohistoric, 1 SD protohistoric, 1 MO Archaic, 1 MO Hopewell. Finds bimodality: less than 3.49 gm, and more than 4.5 gm (only 33 = 3.7% fall between). Suggests small point tradition reflects bow and arrow, late sites, while large point tradition is atlatl, earlier sites. Notes contradictory evidence: Browne 1938 and his own experiments with atlatl show small points, no points, large points all work on both arrow and dart. Late metal arrow points also heavier, but early ones fit pattern. Some sites with both sizes may have atlatl and bow coexisting. [Widely cited, perhaps a good rule of thumb, but no more than that. Would like to know what else he tried with atlatls.]
Cite this Record
Weights of Chipped Stone Points: A Clue to Their Functions. Franklin Fenenga. Southwestern Journal of Anthropology (later: Journal of Anthropological Research). 9 (3): 309-323. 1953 ( tDAR id: 423356)
Keywords
Temporal Keywords
Bronze Age
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Chalcolithic
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Iron Age
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Mesolithic
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Neolithic
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Palaeolithic
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Viking Age
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): 10167
Notes
Rights & Attribution: The information in this record was originally compiled by Dr. Roeland Paardekooper, EXARC Director.