Projectile Point and Hafting Design Review

Abstract

Design review provides insight into possible factors influencing the rapid change of lithic point types and their associated hafting technology during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene. The contribution of foreshafts, fluting, notching, and point morphology to weapon system performance was reviewed. Comparison of functional characteristics of lithic projectile points versus rod-shaped points of calcareous materials suggests a prehistoric preference for lithic points that was primarily due to the comparative nature and hemorrhage characteristics of the wounds produced. The design review indicates that the technological chronology observed in the archaeological record is far too complex and non-linear to be envisioned simply as a continuum of functional and maintainability improvement, but is best explained as the result of experimentation and design variation in response to continuous change in hunting conditions, methods, and emphasis.