The Steps for Knapping a Clovis Projectile Point Flintknapping is the term used to desribe the process of making stone tools. One of the crucial elements in flintknapping is the ability to control the way rocks break when they are struck. Native Americans would first find a rock that was somewhat brittle and uniform in texture, and lacking any inclusions, or additional minerals. 1. Once the desired material was found, large flakes were then broken off with a hammerstone. 2. Then, a small hammerstone was used to chip the flake into a desirable shape. A tip was also formed on what would become the base 3. Using a tool made from an antler, the flintknapper would make a quick, downward blow to the tip of the flake. This would produce a flute. A second flute was made on the other side of the point. Flutes are commonly found on Paleoindian points. Perhaps the most identifiable fluted point is the Clovis, which is a Paleoindian point. 4. Next, a small antler tool was used to apply pressure and cause smaller flakes to fall off. This process is known as pressure flaking. This is when the final form of the projectile point is made. Finally, the base of the point was ground with sandstone to prevent the base of the point from cutting the material used to haft the point. After the projectile point was finished it was then hafted, or attached, to the shaft of an arrow, or in this case, to the bone foreshaft that would fit into a spear. Foreshafts were fitted onto spears in case an animal was wounded, but not killed. Once the projectile point, attached to the foreshaft, entered an animal the wooden shaft of the spear would fall from the animal. The foreshaft would remain lodged in the animal. This prevented the hunter from losing his entire spear, should the animal merely be wounded.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 23:28:03 +0000