Global Sports: Precisely how Did The Indians Construct Arrowheads

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Precisely how Did The Indians Construct Arrowheads

By Chris Holthe


Just how did the Indians make arrowheads? 1st phase was to chip flakes away from a core rock, then the flakes were fashioned down into an arrowhead. Basic tools had been a smooth egg-shaped stone known as a hammerstone employed to break the core into flakes. A smooth flat stone was utilised for abrading. Pointed antlers or perhaps a little pointed stone had been used to chip flakes off the edges crafting a serrated edge.

Essentially the most valued rock for crafting projectile points was obsidian or volcanic glass however there wasn't sufficient available for everyday use. Any brittle rock with a smooth, unbroken texture might be utilized. Most points were made from flint, chert, quartzite, or jasper. If essential, projectile points were made from bone, or even fire-hardened wood.

Soon after picking a rock, the flintknapper strikes the core with a sharp blow. The flakes chipped off of the core are the raw material utilised to create a projectile point. The worker locations the point of the antlers against the flake, and strikes the antlers having a stone to form the serrated edges. Edges were polished using a smooth rock until smooth and sharp, about 1/8 of an inch in thickness.

The projectile point had to be turned over frequently as it was worked to produce symmetry on both sides. Small arrowheads were produced for hunting birds, medium for rabbits, raccoons, or turkeys. Large points were used for hunting deer, bear, or buffalo.

An experienced flintknapper knew the best way to choose rocks. He'd decide on a rock with a smooth texture with no cracks. He'd tap the stone being attentive for the high pitch identifying a suitable rock that might be designed into durable arrowheads. Chipping with precise force and also the appropriate angle to produce triangular-shaped flakes, and working those flakes into points was a specialized skill. The flintknapper was important towards the hunting success of his tribe.

A practiced flintknapper could finish a projectile point in 20-30 minutes. The completed arrowhead would be attached to a shaft of light wood with twine or leather. Most tribes had 1 or two flintknappers who made all their arrowheads.




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