Editing Projectile point (section)

{{Short description|Primitive weapon component}}
[[File:ProjPointTerm.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Standard projectile point terminology used in describing Native American projectile points: a – point or tip, b – edge, c – blade or face, d – step, e – tang, f – base, g – notch, h – barb, i – shoulder.<ref>Adapted from Ritchie, 1989</ref>]]

In [[archaeology|archaeological terminology]], a '''projectile point''' is an object that was [[hafting|hafted]] to a weapon that was capable of being thrown or projected, such as a [[javelin]], [[dart (missile)|dart]], or [[arrow]].  They are thus different from weapons presumed to have been kept in the hand, such as [[knife|knive]]s, [[spear]]s, [[axe]]s, [[hammer]]s, and [[Mace (bludgeon)|maces]].

Stone tools, including projectile points, were often lost or discarded and are relatively plentiful, especially at [[archaeological site]]s. They provide useful clues to the human past, including prehistoric [[trade]]. A distinctive form of point, identified though [[lithic analysis]] of the [[lithic reduction|way it was made]], is often a key diagnostic factor in identifying an [[archaeological industry]] or culture.  Scientific techniques exist to track the specific kinds of rock or minerals that were used to make stone tools in various regions back to their original sources.

As well as stone, projectile points were also made of worked [[wood]], [[bone]], [[antler]], [[horn (anatomy)|horn]], or [[ivory]]; all of these are less common in the Americas. In regions where [[metallurgy]] emerged, projectile points were eventually made from [[copper]], [[bronze]], or [[iron]], though the change was by no means immediate. In North America, some late prehistoric points were fashioned from copper that was [[mining|mined]] in the [[Lake Superior]] region and elsewhere.