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)

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Keywords

General
Atlatl bow & arrow Hunting Spear Weapon

Geographic Keywords
USA

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.