Why the Folsom Point Was Fluted: Implications from a Particular Technofunctional Explanation

Abstract

Technofunctional explanations generally appeal to a mechanical design feature intended to enhance penetration and killing power and/or intended to facilitate physical union between the stone point and other wood or osseous haft components. The haft was made from a longitudinally split shaft or rod, shaped slightly on the distal end to provide a smooth contour for penetration and tapered on the proximal end to fit into a drilled hole in the main shaft. The haft served as a reinforcing splint along each face of the stone point, guarding the stone point against breakage from bending forces. Although pertinent details are less well documented through experimentation and archaeological study, it is probable that a high failure rate also occurred during production of Folsom ultrathin bifaces. The fluting explanation discussed here provides no insight regarding the extreme metric and technological similarity in Folsom points across the great expanse of its known distribution.