A Possible Paleoindian/Early Archaic Point from Ladyville, Belize, Central America

To date, 81 stemmed and barbed preceramic (Archaic) points (8000–900 B.C.) have been identified in Belize. Fifty-four are Lowe points; 21 are Sawmill points. Four more are provisionally classified as Allspice and two as Ya’axche’ points. These stemmed bifaces are frequently beveled on alternate-opposite edges and demonstrate variable degrees of resharpening and reworking, which affects blade shape and tool size. Numerous functions have been attributed to these artifacts; specifically, they have been called spear points, dart points, harpoons, and knives. Metric data from these bifaces, limited macrowear and microwear analyses, and design features, such as barbs and alternate-opposite edge beveling, have been used to interpret likely tool functions. Results suggest that Lowe points were affixed to throwing/thrusting spears and also served as knives, whereas the Sawmill points were used as spear-thrower dart points and as knives. New dating information suggests that alternate-opposite edge beveling and consequently beveled bifaces may be much older than 2500–1900 B.C., which is the date currently assigned to these specimens.

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A Possible Paleoindian/Early Archaic Point from Ladyville, Belize, Central America

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Pre-Maya Lithic Technology in the Wetlands of Belize: The Chipped Stone from Crawford Bank

Pre-Maya Lithic Technology in the Wetlands of Belize: The Chipped Stone from Crawford Bank

Bridging the Gap: An Updated Overview of Clovis across Middle America and its Techno-Cultural Relation with Fluted Point Assemblages from South America

Design and Function of Lowe and Sawmill Points from the Preceramic Period of Belize

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