Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T09:53:45.918Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Making a point: wood- versus stone-tipped projectiles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Nicole M. Waguespack ,
Todd A. Surovell ,
Allen Denoyer ,
Alice Dallow ,
Adam Savage ,
Jamie Hyneman  and
Dan Tapster
Nicole M. Waguespack
Affiliation:
1Department of Anthropology, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
Todd A. Surovell
Affiliation:
1Department of Anthropology, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
Allen Denoyer
Affiliation:
1Department of Anthropology, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
Alice Dallow
Affiliation:
3Mythbusters, Beyond Productions, 109 Reserve Rd, Artarmon, NSW 2064, Australia
Adam Savage
Affiliation:
3Mythbusters, Beyond Productions, 109 Reserve Rd, Artarmon, NSW 2064, Australia
Jamie Hyneman
Affiliation:
3Mythbusters, Beyond Productions, 109 Reserve Rd, Artarmon, NSW 2064, Australia
Dan Tapster
Affiliation:
3Mythbusters, Beyond Productions, 109 Reserve Rd, Artarmon, NSW 2064, Australia
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

What are the advantages of equipping a wooden arrow with stone, rather than just using the sharpened wooden tip? Very few it seems. In a series of well-controlled experiments the authors show that stone arrow-heads achieve barely 10 per cent extra penetration over wood. They then raise some pertinent ideas about the other advantages, social and symbolic that may have driven hunters the world over to adopt the stone tip.

Keywords

prehistoryhuntingprojectilesexperimental archaeology
Type
Method
Information
Antiquity , Volume 83 , Issue 321 , September 2009 , pp. 786 - 800
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arndt, S. & Newcomer, M.. 1986. Breakage patterns on prehistoric bone points: an experimental study, in Hands, A. & Walker, D. (ed.) Studies in the Upper Paleolithic of Britain and Northwest Europe (British Archaeological Reports International Series 296): 165–73. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports.Google Scholar
Bailey, R. C. 1991. The behavioral ecology of Efe pygmy men in the Ituri Forest, Zaire. Ann Arbor (MI): Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan.Google Scholar
Balikci, A. 1970. The Netsilik eskimo. Prospect Heights: Waveland.Google Scholar
Barrett, S. A. 1917. The Washo Indians (Milwaukee Public Museum Bulletin 2(1)). New York: AMS Press.Google Scholar
Barrett, S. A. & Gifford, E. W.. 1933. Miwok material culture: Indian life of the Yosemite region (Milwaukee Public Museum Bulletin 2(4)). Yosemite (CA): Yosemite Natural History Association.Google Scholar
Bartram, L. E. 1997. A comparison of Kua (Botswana) and Hadza (Tanzania) bow and arrow hunting, in Knecht, H. (ed.) Projectile technology. 321–43. New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bean, L. J. 1972. Mukat's people: the Cahuilla Indians of Southern California. Berkeley (CA): University of California Press.Google Scholar
Bean, L. J. & Shipek, F. C.. 1978. Luiseño, in Heizer, R. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 8: California: 550–63. Washington (D. C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Bergman, C. A. & Newcomer, M. H.. 1983. Flint arrowhead breakage: examples from Ksar Akil, Lebanon. Journal of Field Archaeology 10(2): 238–43.Google Scholar
Bliege-Bird, R. & Smith, E. A.. 2005. Signaling theory, strategic interaction, and symbolic capital. Current Anthropology 46(2): 221–48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boas, F. 1888. The Central Eskimo. Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Bo¨eda, E., Geneste, J. M., Griggo, C., Mercier, N., Muhesen, S., Reyss, J. L., Taha, A. & Valladas, H.. 1999. A Levallois point embedded in the vertebra of a wild ass (Equus africanus): hafting, projectiles and Mousterian hunting weapons. Antiquity 73: 394–402.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Broglio, A., Chelidonio, G. & Longo, L.. 1993. Analyse Morphologiqu et Fonctionelle des Pointes a cran de l'Epigravettien Ancien, in Anderson, P., Beyries, S., Otte, M. & Plisson, H. (ed.) Traces et fonction: les gestes retrouves (ERAUL 50): 31–9. Liège: University of Liège.Google Scholar
Cheshier, J. & Kelly, R. L.. 2006. Projectile point shape and durability: the effect of thickness:length. American Antiquity 71(2): 353–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Churchill, S. E. 1993. Weapon technology, prey size selection, and hunting methods in modern hunter-gatherers: implications for hunting in the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic, in Peterkin, G., Bricker, H. & Mellars, P. (ed.) Hunting and animal exploitation in the later Palaeolithic and Mesolithic of Eurasia (Archaeological Papers of the American Anthropological Association 4):11–24. Washington (D. C.): American Anthropological Association.Google Scholar
Clastres, P. 1972. The Guayaki, in Bicchieri, M. (ed.) Hunters and gatherers today: socioeconomic study of eleven such cultures in the twentieth century: 138–74. Prospect Heights: Waveland.Google Scholar
De Laguana, F. 1990. Tlingit, in Suttles, W. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 7: Northwest Coast: 203–28. Washington (D. C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Donahue, R. E., Murphy, M. L. & Robbins, L. H.. 2002. Lithic microwear analysis of Middle Stone Age artifacts from White Paintings Rock Shelter, Botswana. Journal of Field Archaeology 29(1/2): 155–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, C. 1997. Factors influencing the use of stone projectile tips: an ethnographic perspective, in Knecht, H. (ed.) Projectile technology: 37–74. New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ewers, J. C. 1955. The horse in Blackfoot Indian culture with comparative material from other western tribes (Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 159). Washington (D.C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Fejos, P. 1943. Ethnography of the Yagua. New York: Viking Fund Publications in Anthropology.Google Scholar
Felger, R. S. & Moser, M. B.. 1991. People of the desert and sea: ethnobotany of the Seri Indians. Tucson (AZ): University of Arizona Press.Google Scholar
Ferg, A. & Kessel, W. B.. 1987. Subsistence, in Ferg, A. (ed.) Western Apache material culture: the Goodwin and Guenther collections: 49–86. Tucson (AZ): University of Arizona Press.Google Scholar
Flenniken, J. J. 1985. Stone tool reduction techniques as cultural markers, in Plew, M., Woods, J. & Pavesic, M. (ed.) Stone tool analysis: essays in honor of Don E. Crabtree: 265–76. Albuquerque (NM): University of New Mexico Press.Google Scholar
Fletcher, A. C. & Laflesche, F.. 1992. The Omaha tribe. Lincoln (NE): University of Nebraska Press.Google Scholar
Gamble, C. 1986. The Paleolithic settlement of Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Goodale, J. C. 1971. Tiwi wives: a study of the women of Melville Island, North Australia. Seattle (WA): University of Washington Press.Google Scholar
Greaves, R. D. 1997. Hunting and multifunctional use of bows and arrows, in Knecht, H. (ed.) Projectile technology: 287–320. New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Griffin, P. B. 1997. Technology and variation in arrow design among the Agta of northeastern Luzon, in Knecht, H. (ed.) Projectile technology: 267–320. New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grinnell, G. 1923. The Cheyenne Indians: their history and way of life. New Haven (CT): Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Guthrie, R. D. 1983. Osseous projectile points: biological considerations affecting raw material selection and design among Paleolithic and Paleoindian peoples, in Hands, A. & Walker, D. (ed.) Animals and archaeology 1: hunters and their prey (British Archaeological Reports International Series 163): 273–94. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports.Google Scholar
Hamilton, T. M. 1982. Native American bows. Columbia (MO): Missouri Archaeological Society.Google Scholar
Hardy, B. L., Kay, M., Marks, A. E. & Monigal, K.. 2001. Stone tool gunction at the Paleolithic sites of Starosele and Buran Kaya III, Crimea: behavioral implications. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 98(19): 10972–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hawtrey, S. H. 1901. The Lengua Indians of the Paraguayan Chaco. Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland 31: 280–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Helm, J. 1981. The Dogrib, in Helm, J. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 6: The Subarctic: 291–309. Washington (D.C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Hitchcock, R. & Bleed, P. 1997. Each according to need and fashion: spear and arrow use among San hunters of the Kalahari, in Knecht, H. (ed.) Projectile technology: 345–68. New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hoffman, C. 1986. The Punan: hunters and gatherers of Borneo. Ann Arbor (MI): UMI Research Press.Google Scholar
Holmberg, A. R. 1969. Nomads of the long bow: the Siriono of eastern Bolivia. Prospect Heights: Waveland Press.Google Scholar
Honigmann, J. J. 1981. West Main Cree, in Helm, J. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 6: Subarctic: 217–30. Washington (D. C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Hughes, C. C. 1984. Siberian eskimo, in Damas, D. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 5: Arctic. 247–61. Washington (D. C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Liljeblad, S. & Fowler, C. S.. 1986. Owens Valley Paiute, in D'Azevedo, W. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 11: Great Basin: 412–34. Washington (D.C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Lowie, R. H. 1935. The Crow Indians. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.Google Scholar
Mason, O. T. 1893. North American bows, arrows, and quivers. Washington (D.C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Mcclellan, C. 1991a. Inland Tlingit, in Helm, J. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 6: Subarctic: 469–80. Washington (D.C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Mcclellan, C. 1991b. Tutchone, in Helm, J. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 6: Subarctic: 493–505. Washington (D. C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Mckennan, R. A. 1981. Tanana, in Helm, J. (ed.) Movius H.L.Google Scholar
Mckennan, R. A. 1950. A wooden spear of Third Interglacial age from Lower Saxony. Southwestern Journal of Anthropology 6(2): 139–42.Google Scholar
Meyer, C. 1971. The Yurok of Trinidad Bay, 1851, in Heizer, R. & Whipple, M. (ed.) The California Indians: a sourcebook: 262–71. Berkeley (CA): University of California Press.Google Scholar
Murdoch, J. 1892. Ethnological results of the Point Barrow Expedition. Washington (D.C.): Smithsonian Institution.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nicholas, F. C. 1901. The Aborigines of the province of Santa Marta, Columbia. American Anthropologist 3(4): 606–49.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oakley, K. P., Andrews, P., Keeley, L. H. & Clark, J. D.. 1977. A reappraisal of the Clacton spearpoint. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 43: 13–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Odell, G. H. & Cowan, F.. 1986. Experiments with spears and arrows on animal targets. Journal of Field Archaeology 13: 195–212.Google Scholar
Oswalt, W. H. 1967. Alaskan eskimos. Scranton (PA): Chandler.Google Scholar
Oswalt, W. H. 1973. Habitat and technology: the evolution of hunting. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.Google Scholar
Opler, M. E. 1996. An Apache life way: the economic, social, & religious institutions of the Chiricahua Indians. Lincoln (NE): University of Nebraska Press.Google Scholar
Pettit, J. 1990. Utes: the mountain people. Boulder (CO): Johnson Books.Google Scholar
Radcliffe-Brown, A.R. 1964. The Andaman Islanders. New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Radin, P. 1990. The Winnebago tribe. Lincoln (NE): University of Nebraska Press.Google Scholar
Renker, A. M. & Gunther, E.. 1990. Makah, in Suttles, W. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 7: Northwest Coast: 422–30. Washington (D.C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Schmitt, D., Churchill, S. E. & Hylander, W. L.. 2003. Experimental evidence concerning spear use in Neandertals and Early Modern Humans. Journal of Archaeological Science 30: 103–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shea, J. J. 1988. Spear points from the Middle Paleolithic of the Levant. Journal of Field Archaeology 15(4): 441–50.Google Scholar
Shea, J. J. 1993. Lithic use-wear evidence for hunting in the Levantine Middle Paleolithic. Traces et Fonction: Les Gestes Retrouves 50: 21–30.Google Scholar
Shea, J. J. 2006. The origins of lithic projectile point technology: evidence from Africa, the Levant, and Europe. Journal of Archaeological Science 33: 823–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shea, J. J., Davis, Z. & Brown, K.. 2001. Experimental tests of Middle Paleolithic spear points using a calibrated crossbow. Journal of Archaeological Science 28: 807–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silver, S. 1978. Chimariko, in Heizer, R. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 8: California: 205–10. Washington (D. C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Smith, A. M. 1974. Ethnography of the Northern Utes. Albuquerque (NM): Museum of New Mexico Press.Google Scholar
Spencer, B. & Gillen, F. J.. 1968. The native tribes of central Australia. New York: Dover.Google Scholar
Spier, L. 1978. Yuman tribes of the Gila River. New York: Dover.Google Scholar
Stearman, A. M. 1989. Yuqui: forest nomads in a changing world. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.Google Scholar
Stewart, K. M. 1947. Mohave warfare. Southwestern Journal of Anthropology 3(3): 257–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thieme, H. 1997. Lower Paleolithic hunting spears from Germany. Nature 385: 807–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thieme, H. 1999. Lower Paleolithic throwing spears and other wooden implements from Schoningen, Germany, in Ullrich, H. (ed.) Hominid evolution: lifestyles and survival strategies: 383–95. Weimar: Archaea.Google Scholar
Thomson, D. F. 1975. Bindibu country. London: Thomas Nelson Ltd.Google Scholar
Titmus, G. L. & Woods, J.C.. 1986. An experimental study of projectile point fracture patterns. Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology 8(1): 37–49.Google Scholar
Tobey, M. L. 1981. Carrier, in Helm, J. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 6: Subarctic: 413–32. Washington (D. C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Tonkinson, R. 1978. The Marudjara Aborigines: living the dream in Australia's desert. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.Google Scholar
Townsend, J. B. 1981. Tanaina, in Helm, J. (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 6: Subarctic: 623–40. Washington (D.C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Turnbull, C. M. 1965. Wayward servants: the two worlds of the African pygmies. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode.Google Scholar
Wallace, W. J. 1978. Hupa, Chilula and Whilkut, in Heizer, (ed.) Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 8: California: 164–79. Washington (D.C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar
Warner, W. L. 1969. A black civilization: a social study of an Australian tribe. Gloucester: Peter Smith.Google Scholar
Watanabe, H. 1972. The Ainu ecosystem: environment and group structure. Seattle (WA): University of Washington Press.Google Scholar
Woodburn, J. 1970. Hunters and gatherers: the material culture of the nomadic Hadza. London: The Trustees of the British Museum. Handbook of North American Indians. Volume 6: Subarctic: 562–76. Washington (D. C.): Smithsonian Institution.Google Scholar