The Testimony of Hands

2011.14.1

Location of find
2011.14.1, Clovis point of petrified wood
Clovis culture (11,500–11,000 B.C.)
Found near Santa Fe, New Mexico
Bureau of Land Management collections
Photograph by B. Bernard


This point was found by itself, rather than in with other remains. It may have been a point lost during hunting. It is 9 centimeters (3 1/2 inches) long. The base and lower edges (to the left in this picture) are heavily ground. Basal grinding is common on Paleoindian points, and most likely was done so that the sinew wrapping would not be cut by the edges of the point.

Although the raw material appears to be chert, a careful inspection shows that it is petrified wood. If you know the source of this petrified wood, please let us know!

The next photograph shows the other side of the Clovis point. This side includes a typical "basal flute," meaning a flake removal scar extending up from the base, but it's difficult to see in the photo. The following photo was taken using a low-angle light source, and shows the flute more clearly

2011.14.1, other side

2011.14.1


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