Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2018
Abstract
It has long been assumed that Folsom points are more standardized than Clovis points, although an adequate test of this proposition has yet to be undertaken. Here, we address that deficiency by using data from a sample of Folsom and Clovis points recovered from sites across the western United States. We used geometric morphometric techniques to capture point shape and then conducted statistical analyses of variability associated with Clovis and Folsom point bases and blades. Our results demonstrate that Folsom bases and blades are less variable than those on earlier Clovis points, indicating an increase in point standardization during the Early Paleoindian period. In addition, despite published claims to the contrary, Clovis and Folsom point bases are no more variable than blades. Based on these results, we conducted additional analyses to examine the modularity and size of Clovis and Folsom points. The results suggest Clovis points have more integrated base and blade segments than Folsom points. We suggest that several classes of Clovis points - intended for different functions - might have been in use during the Clovis period and that the later Folsom points might have served only as weapon tips, the shape of which were constrained by the fluting process.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1017/aaq.2018.53
Volume
83
Issue
4
Repository Citation
Buchanan, B.; Andrews, B.; O'Brien, Michael J.; and Eren, M. I., "An Assessment of Stone Weapon Tip Standardization During the Clovis-Folsom Transition in the Western United States" (2018). History Faculty Publications. 14.
https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/hist_faculty/14
Comments
© 2018 Cambridge University Press. Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1017/aaq.2018.53.
Buchanan B., Andrews B., O'Brien M.J., Eren M.I.. 2018. An Assessment of Stone Weapon Tip Standardization During the Cloviz-Folsom Transition in the Western United States. Cambridge University Press.