Asphaltum hafting and projectile point durability: an experimental comparison of three hafting methods

The design of a projectile delivery system often plays a critical role in the durability and breakage patterns associated with spent projectile points. This paper presents the results of an experimental project designed to examine projectile point durability and breakage patterns between three diffe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of archaeological science 2012-08, Vol.39 (8), p.2802-2809
Main Authors: Fauvelle, Mikael, Smith, Erin M., Brown, Sean H., Des Lauriers, Matthew R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
America and Arctic regions
Analysis of archaeological features
Asphaltum
Bitumen
California
Experimental archaeology
Great Basin
Methodology and general studies
North America
Prehistory and protohistory
Projectile point
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Summary:The design of a projectile delivery system often plays a critical role in the durability and breakage patterns associated with spent projectile points. This paper presents the results of an experimental project designed to examine projectile point durability and breakage patterns between three different hafting methods. Specifically, we compare two asphaltum hafting techniques drawn from archaeological and ethnohistoric accounts from the Central Valley of California with a more stereotypical cross-hatched sinew hafting system. Our results suggest a small yet statistically significant increase in durability among asphaltum hafted points, opening the door to future research on these ethnohistorically documented hafting techniques. ► Obsidian arrow points were shot at a composite animal target. ► We evaluate the potential influence of asphaltum hafting on point durability. ► We show significant differences between two of three hafting methods. ► We discuss implications for other experimental projectile point projects. ► Asphaltum may have been widely used for hafting points in prehistoric California.
ISSN:0305-4403
1095-9238
DOI:10.1016/j.jas.2012.04.014