Assessment Questions 7.13

1. What is the significance of Clovis spearpoints, and what distinguishes them?

Clovis spearpoints are significant for characterizing the tool assemblage of Paleoindian sites. They are distinctive for having a channel, or flute, on both faces, assumed to aid in hafting the stone point onto a wooden shaft.

2. Where are Clovis points found, and what is the typical date range associated with Clovis sites?

Clovis points are found throughout the continental United States, with sites numbering in the hundreds. The typical date range associated with Clovis sites is between 13,200 B.P. and 11,900 B.P.

3. What is the assumed purpose of the flute on Clovis spearpoints, and where is this small technological step believed to have originated?

The flute on Clovis spearpoints is assumed to have aided in hafting the stone point onto a wooden shaft. This small technological step is believed to have originated in the Americas, as fluted points are never found in Siberia, eastern Asia, or anywhere else in the world.