Clovis Points and Foreshafts Under Braced Weapon Compression: Modeling Pleistocene Megafauna Encounters with a Lithic Pike

Abstract

Portable braced shaft weapons, or pikes, have not previously been part of the discussion in Clovis point studies, however historical sources depict use of pikes in megafauna hunting and defense during Late Holocene millennia in North America, Africa, Eurasia and Southeast Asia. Given the predominance of megafauna in Late Pleistocene North America during the centuries when Clovis points appeared and spread across much of the continent (13,050–12,650 cal BP), braced weapons may have been used in hunting of megaherbivores and defense against megacarnivores. Drawing from historical examples of pike use against lions, boars, grizzlies, carabao and warhorses we consider the possibility of a fluted lithic pike. Associated osseous rods have been problematic as Clovis foreshafts due to the bevel angle and the apparent weakness of the splint haft when great strength is needed for deep penetration in megafauna hunting. However our review of Late Holocene pike use in megafauna encounters indicates the sharp tip becomes less important after hide or armor has been pierced because compression is sustained. Thus foreshaft collapse after hide entry may not limit the efficacy of the braced weapon. We model a fluted pike that adjusts during compression such that haft collapse and point detachment (when point jams on impact with bone) preserve the fluted biface, beveled rod and wooden mainshaft tip. In addition to Clovis point attributes and association with osseous rods, potential archaeological correlates of Clovis pike use include the high frequency of Clovis point isolates and concentrations of complete points with unbutchered mammoth remains at sites such as Naco in Arizona.

Keywords: Clovis point, lithic pike, braced spear, PaleoIndian, bone foreshaft