Breakage Patterns of Central Illinois Woodland Projectile Points

Abstract

In most projectile point assemblages, it is common to find a large proportion of broken specimens. Assuming most broken specimens were broken prior to deposition in the archaeological record, three possible factors correlating with breaks are examined: (1) blade proportions, (2) major functional category, (3) haft morphology. Hypotheses for the role of each factor are framed and tested on a group of specimens from central Illinois. Use category appears to be the major factor in blade breakage, although total extent of breakage is also related to haft morphology.