Archaeology Term: Clovis Point
Clovis points, distinctive stone tools characterized by their fluted design, are a hallmark of the Clovis culture, a prehistoric culture that flourished in North America around 13,000 years ago.
These finely crafted projectile points were used by early hunters to spear large game animals, such as mammoths, mastodons, and bison.
The distinctive feature of a Clovis point is its fluted design. A long, narrow groove, or flute, runs along one or both faces of the point. This flute may have served various purposes, such as aiding in the attachment of the point to a spear shaft or improving the aerodynamics of the projectile.
Clovis points are typically made of high-quality stone, such as chert or obsidian. The production of these points required advanced lithic technology, including the ability to shape the stone through pressure flaking and percussion flaking.
The discovery of Clovis points at numerous sites across North America has provided valuable insights into the lives of early Paleo-Indian peoples. By analyzing the distribution of these points, archaeologists can reconstruct the migration patterns of these ancient hunters and gatherers.
The Clovis culture represents a significant period in the prehistory of North America. The development of sophisticated stone tools, such as Clovis points, allowed these early peoples to adapt to their environment and thrive in the harsh conditions of the Ice Age.
