Flaked-stone projectile point serration: A controlled experimental study of blade margin design

Loendorf, Chris; Oliver, Theodore J.; Tiedens, Shari; Plumlee, R. Scott; Woodson, M. Kyle; Simon, Lynn

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.07.002

Cited by 10 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…In contrast to the extensive Preclassic exchange relationships, patterning in Classic-period data suggests that prehistoric people in the Phoenix Basin maintained different trade relationships, and by the Late Classic goods were rarely transferred between adjacent subregions, suggesting that conflict intensified at this time (Abbott 2000, 2009; Loendorf 2012; Loendorf et al 2013; Nelson et al 2010; Simon and Gosser 2001; Wilcox 2001). These differences suggest that Classic-period people were not politically integrated, a possibility that is supported by patterned variation in projectile point serration data (Loendorf, Oliver, et al 2015). The greater incidence over time of flaked-stone projectile points designed for warfare also suggests that conflict intensified, which is reflected by the Akimel O'Odham story of conquest that resulted in the destruction of the platform mounds (Loendorf, Simon, et al 2015; Teague 1993).…”

Section: Preclassic- and Classic-period Settlement Patterns And Matermentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Many additional commonalities exist between the Prehistoric and Historic periods within the Phoenix Basin. First, these include close correspondences in projectile point shape and serration data, as well as the uninterrupted trends in obsidian acquisition patterns that continued from the Prehistoric period (Loendorf 2014; Loendorf et al 2013; Loendorf, Oliver, et al 2015). Second, Akimel O'Odhams practice a dispersed settlement pattern that is similar to Preclassic strategies (Ezell 1961:110–113; Fish 1989:21; Seymour 2011:198–209).…”

Section: Protohistoric- and Historic-period Settlement Patterns And Mmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Ancestral O'odham: Akimel O'ODHAM Cultural Traditions and the Archaeological Record

Loendorf

Lewis²

2017

Am. Antiq.

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Archaeologists have long used the prehistoric inhabitants of the Phoenix Basin in south-central Arizona as an example of a failed or collapsed society, and most prehistorians still assert that Hohokam material culture patterns ended at the close of the Classic period (circa A.D. 1150–1450). Although researchers are increasingly recognizing connections between prehistoric and modern indigenous people, little consensus exists regarding the cause or causes of the dramatic alterations in material culture patterns that occurred in the region. Most archaeologists who have studied the changes at the end of the Classic period, however, have not fully considered the implications of previous and subsequent conditions, including similar and seemingly abrupt shifts in cultural practices that occurred both before and after this time. This paper uses Akimel O'Odham (i.e., Pima) cultural knowledge to contextualize the “Hohokam Collapse.” We show that this perspective of culture history explains the relationship between prehistoric and historic populations and answers many of the long-standing questions regarding cultural variation in the Phoenix Basin.

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Section: Preclassic- and Classic-period Settlement Patterns And Matermentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Protohistoric- and Historic-period Settlement Patterns And Mmentioning

confidence: 96%

Ancestral O'odham: Akimel O'ODHAM Cultural Traditions and the Archaeological Record

Loendorf

Lewis²

2017

Am. Antiq.

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“…Highly visible items used in public contexts can generally be considered social signals, to varying degrees (e.g., Carr 1995;Steiner 2014). Around the world, non-functional explanations for bifacial point serrations have included burials and ceremonies (Johnson 1940), trade goods (Akerman et al 2002), tribal affiliation and symbols of social membership (Hoffman 1997: 214-218;Loendorf et al 2015;Moore 2015).…”

Section: Projections Social Values and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other researchers have speculated that serration might represent functional advantages for hunting and fighting weapons (Rots et al 2017: 54). Loendorf et al (2015) has used experimental data to demonstrate that serrations offer no functional advantage, suggesting that projectile accuracy, wound size and durability, are in no way improved. Akerman et al (2002: 21-22) residue study, does not suggest the Kimberley Point serrations themselves provided any functional advantages.…”

Section: Projections Social Values and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kimberley points of Western Australia: Pressure flaking, projections and prestige

Maloney

2020

JLS

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Kimberley points are pressure flaked bifaces with marginal projections, produced within the last millennium, in north Western Australia. These points were hafted for hunting and fighting in recent times, although there is some suggestion that smaller points tended to be hafted for use in favour of larger points, which were reserved for trade and exchange. Kimberley Points are imbued with strong social signalling and prestige qualities, known from Historic times. This paper examines whether these qualities are reflected archaeologically in their marginal projections produced with pressure flaking; and their morphology and production. Multiple sources of Kimberley Point archaeology, ethnography, and production are critically reviewed. As prestige items, the marginal projections are found to very likely relate to their social value, rather than functional drive, which this study investigates using morphological approaches. Samples from both ethnographic collections and archaeological surface assemblages are analysed. The study finds that biface elongation, length and perimeter length each greatly influenced the number of and size of marginal projections, regardless of raw material. This aspect of production probably reflects the value and social prestige for large serrated points, likely produced by the knapper before an audience in virtuoso displays of pressure flaking. It is conceivable that these complex social practices emerged around 1,000 years ago. This study provides a rare glimpse into the social values of stone tool produces, and links archaeological data to social values in the past.

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“…These varied factors can be grouped into three general lines of inquiry: design characteristics, raw material constraints, and reworking. Point design variables include both stylistic expressions (e.g., serrations) that do not substantially change point performance as well as intentional modifications (e.g., side notching of triangular points) that do significantly alter point function, and, therefore, are potentially related to differences in the intended use (Ahler 1971; Bettinger and Eerkens 1999; Bonnichsen and Keyser 1982; Buchanan et al 2011; Christenson 1997; Ellis 1997; Hughes 1998; Knecht 1997; Loendorf 2012; Loendorf et al 2015a, 2015b, 2017; Lyman et al 2009; Mason 1894; Mesoudi and O'Brien 2008; O'Brien et al 2014; Sedig 2014; Shott 1996, 1997; Sisk and Shea 2009; Sliva 2015; Thomas 1978; Tomka 2013; VanPool 2003; Whittaker 1994, 2016; Wood and Fitzhugh 2018). The second general category includes the distribution and nature of raw materials on the landscape, which has been shown to substantially constrain lithic industries (Ahler 1971; Andrefsky 2005, 2006; Lerner et al 2007; VanPool 2003; Whittaker 1994).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Projectile Point Reworking: An Experimental Study of Arrowpoint Use Life

et al. 2019

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This article summarizes the results of controlled experiments in which flaked-stone points that varied in impact strength by a factor of almost three were shot at media that were increasingly inelastic and therefore likely to break the points. Broken tips were reworked if possible, and used again under the same conditions. Our results show that all damage to low impact-strength materials, especially obsidian, was generally catastrophic, and, consequently, these points could only rarely be reworked. The fact that low-strength stones were commonly used to make small arrowpoints suggests that reworking was not a primary concern for their designers. Furthermore, in those instances when broken tips could be reworked, their performance declined. In addition, reworking broken points also resulted in shapes that are uncommon in many arrowpoint assemblages. Our results suggest that the original design attributes of arrowpoints may have been less affected by reworking, and, consequently, may more accurately suggest temporal and behavioral associations.

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Flaked-stone projectile point serration: A controlled experimental study of blade margin design

Cited by 10 publications

References 24 publications

Ancestral O'odham: Akimel O'ODHAM Cultural Traditions and the Archaeological Record

Ancestral O'odham: Akimel O'ODHAM Cultural Traditions and the Archaeological Record

Kimberley points of Western Australia: Pressure flaking, projections and prestige

Projectile Point Reworking: An Experimental Study of Arrowpoint Use Life

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