Assessing Flint Knapping Skill: An Analysis of the Beaver River Complex Folsom Point Assemblages, Northwest Oklahoma, USA

Bement, Leland C.

doi:10.1080/20555563.2016.1171945

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Another question raised by our study concerns the relation between the emergence of Folsom point standardization and specialization versus the iconic full-face fluting of Folsom. Building off the hypotheses that have been developed previously (Ahler and Geib 2000; Bement 1999, 2016; Boldurian 1990; Boldurian et al 1985), we propose that there likely was positive feedback between increasing flute length and point standardization, on the one hand, and functional specialization, on the other. Clovis fluting appears to be a functional attribute that allows a point to absorb significantly more energy, last longer, and remain intact relative to unfluted points (Thomas et al 2017).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

“…Several researchers have offered explanations for the original observation made by Judge (1973)—and supported in our study—that Folsom is more uniform than Clovis. The most common explanation, and one for which Judge was himself a proponent, is that Folsom bases were standardized so that they could fit precisely designed haft systems (Ahler and Geib 2000; Bement 2016; Boldurian 1990). Further, it usually is argued that because Folsom hunters relied heavily on mobile and difficult-to-locate prey—primarily bison—they invested considerable time and energy in the design of their points and delivery systems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, it usually is argued that because Folsom hunters relied heavily on mobile and difficult-to-locate prey—primarily bison—they invested considerable time and energy in the design of their points and delivery systems. The standardization of Folsom points is suggested to have allowed hunters to easily resharpen (Ahler and Geib 2000) or replace (Bement 2016) damaged points. Another closely related explanation for the uniformity of Folsom bases suggests more specifically that the process of fluting, which is believed to be integral to hafting, imposed strict constraints on the form of Folsom bases (Ahler and Geib 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If modularity is weak, covariation between the base and blade will be high, whereas if modularity is strong, covariation will be low. Based on the hypothesis posited by several researchers (e.g., Ahler and Geib 2000; Bement 1999, 2016; Judge 1973), Folsom points are expected to be modular, meaning that the blade is a component that was designed to be reworked and reduced with use, whereas the base was standardized to fit particular hafting elements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They argued that Folsom points served as replaceable components in the weapon system and that the point was designed to be fitted precisely into a haft. If dulled or damaged, the point could be resharpened and reset in the haft for continued use (see also Bement 2016). Thus, the uniformity of Folsom point bases has been argued to be purposely standardized to fit interchangeably into hafts and to reduce risk of failure when hunting bison (Ahler and Geib 2000; Amick 1994; Boldurian et al 1985; Hofman 1991, 1992, 2003; Hunzicker 2008; Kelly and Todd 1988; Surovell 2009).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Assessment of Stone Weapon Tip Standardization During the Clovis–folsom Transition in the Western United States

et al. 2018

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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.

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