Editing Projectile point

{{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.

== History in North America ==
A large variety of prehistoric arrowheads, dart points, javelin points, and spear points have been discovered. [[Chert]], [[obsidian]], [[quartzite]], [[quartz]], and many other rocks and minerals were commonly used to make points in North America.  The oldest projectile points found in North America were long thought to date from about 13,000 years ago, during the [[Paleo-Indian|Paleo-Indian period]], however recent evidence suggests that North American projectile points may date to as old as 15,500 years.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/science/25archeo.html?hpw | work=The New York Times | title=Clovis People Weren't First in Americas, Texas Spear Points Suggest | date=24 March 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319035529/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/science/25archeo.html?hpw | archive-date=19 March 2015 }}</ref>  Some of the more famous Paleo-Indian types include [[Clovis point|Clovis]], [[Folsom point|Folsom]] and Dalton points.<ref>[http://www.theaaca.com/index.htm Authentic Artefacts Collectors Association] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120201207/http://www.theaaca.com/index.htm |date=2008-11-20 }}</ref>

=== Types ===
Projectile points fall into two general types: [[dart (missile)|dart]] or [[javelin]] points and [[Arrowhead|arrow points]]. Larger points were used to tip [[atlatl]] javelins or darts and spears. Arrow points are smaller and lighter than dart points, and were used to tip arrows. The question of how to distinguish an arrow point from a point used on a larger projectile is non-trivial. According to some investigators, the best indication is the width of the [[hafting]] area, which is thought to correlate to the width of the shaft.<ref>Wyckoff 1964</ref> An alternative approach is to distinguish arrow points by their necessarily smaller size (weight, length, thickness).<ref>Thomas 1981</ref>

Projectile points come in an amazing variety of shapes and styles, which vary according to chronological periods, cultural identities, and intended functions.

Typological studies of projectile points have become more elaborate through the years. For instance, [[Gregory Perino]] began his categorical study of projectile point typology in the late 1950s. Collaborating with Robert Bell, he published a set of four volumes defining the known point types of that time. Perino followed this several years later with a three-volume study of "Selected Preforms, Points and Knives of the North American Indians".<ref>Fraser 2005</ref> Another recent set of typological studies of North American projectile points has been produced by Noel Justice.<ref>Justice 1987</ref><ref>Justice 2001</ref><ref>Justice 2002a</ref><ref>Justice 2002b</ref>

===Selected North American types===
* [[Bare Island projectile point]]
* [[Barnes projectile point]]
* [[Cascade point]]
* [[Clovis point]]
* [[Cumberland point]]
* [[Eden point]]
* [[Elko point]]
* [[Folsom point]]
* [[Greene projectile point]]
* [[Jack's Reef pentagonal projectile point]]
* [[Lamoka projectile point]]
* [[Levanna projectile point]]
* [[Neville archaeological site|Neville projectile point]] 
* [[Susquehanna broad projectile point]]
* [[Plano point]]

==Australia==
*[[Kimberley points]] 

== Africa ==

* [[Aterian|Aterian points]]
* [[Stillbay]]
* [[Klasies River Caves]]
* [[Porc-Epic Cave|Porc Epic]]

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Coqueirinho - Artefato Ponta projectil Video 1.webm|Pre-historic projectile point from [[Lapa do Santo]]
File:Native American Projectile Points York County Pennsylvania 2014.jpg|Prehistoric Native American projectile points from [[York County, Pennsylvania]].
File:Na arrowheads.jpg|A collection of stone projectile points from North America.
File:Projectilepoint.jpg|A knapped flint arrowhead.
File:Hohokam Arrowhead Sahuarita Arizona 2014.jpg|Prehistoric stone arrowhead [[in situ]].
File:Lapa do Santo - Ponta de projétil (Lst 5534).jpg|Prehistoric stone (Lapa do Lago, Brazil).
File:Lorida, FL Thonotosassa type.JPG|Thonotosassa type, [[Lorida, Florida]].
File:Little Gasparilla Island.JPG|Little Gasparilla Island beach find.
File:Heads of spear.JPG|Ancient spear heads.
File:PointeS Algérie de l'est Atérien 40778.jpg|Tanged projectile points from the [[Aterian|Aterian stone tool industry]].
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Commons category|Projectile points}}
* [[Elf-arrow]]
* [[Levallois technique]]
* [[Lithic reduction]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

== References ==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite journal |author=Fraser, Ray |title=A tribute to Greg Perino (1914-2005) |journal=Central States Archaeological Societies Journal |volume=52 |issue=3 |pages=144 |year=2005 |issn=0008-9559 |url=http://csasi.org/2005_july_journal/a_tribute_to_greg_perino.htm |access-date=2010-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616030144/http://csasi.org/2005_july_journal/a_tribute_to_greg_perino.htm |archive-date=2010-06-16 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book | last = Justice | first = Noel D | year = 1987 | title = Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of the Midcontinental and Eastern United States: A Modern Survey and Reference | publisher = Indiana University Press | location = Bloomington, Indiana }}
* {{cite book | last = Justice | first = Noel D | year = 2001 | title = Field guide to projectile points of the Midwest | publisher = Indiana University Press | location = Bloomington, Indiana }}
* {{cite book | last = Justice | first = Noel D | year = 2002a | title = Stone Age spear and arrow points of California and the Great Basin | publisher = Indiana University Press | location = Bloomington, Indiana }}
* {{cite book | last = Justice | first = Noel D | year = 2002b | title = Stone Age spear and arrow points of the Southwestern United States | publisher = Indiana University Press | location = Bloomington, Indiana }}
* {{cite book | last = Oklahoma River Basin Survey Project | year = 1963–1976 | title = General survey report| publisher = University of Oklahoma Research Institute | location = Norman, Oklahoma }}
* {{cite book | last = Ritchie | first = William A | year = 1989 | title = A Typology and Nomenclature for New York Projectile Points, New York State Museum Bulletin Number 384 | publisher = The University of the State of New York, The State Education Department | location = Albany, New York }}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Thomas | first1 = David Hurst | year = 1981 | title = How to Classify the Projectile Points from Monitor Valley, Nevada | journal = Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology | volume = 3 | pages = 7–43 }}
* {{cite book | last = Whittaker | first = John C | title = Flintknapping: making and understanding stone tools | publisher = University of Texas Press | location = Austin | year = 1994 | isbn = 0-292-79083-X }}
* {{cite book | last = Wyckoff | first = Don G | year = 1964 | title = The cultural sequence of the Packard Site, Mayes County. Oklahoma. Archaeological Site Report }}
{{Refend}}

{{Prehistoric technology| state=expanded}}
{{Pre-Columbian North America}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Projectile Point}}
[[Category:Projectile points| 01]]
[[Category:Lithics]]
[[Category:Archaeological artefact types]]
[[Category:Stone Age]]
[[Category:Archaic period in North America]]
[[Category:Jōmon period]]
[[Category:Paleolithic Japan]]