Stone Age New York

          This pair of triangular Clovis artifacts are both based on curved blade technology. Curved blade points were designed to change direction after entering prey, thus producing a larger, deadlier wound. By changing direction after entry, the projectile is "locked" into its victim. The wounded prey is less likely to shed the projectile and escape, which makes hunting safer and more efficient.

          We chose to show this stemmed triangular artifact because it is a stone version of the lower flute of the Clovis Meteoritic Iron artifact presented here in May. This artifact may be a handled stone knife with a blade on the lower left side, (of photo). The blade is still sharp enough to slice flesh thousands of years after its invention. Clovis stemmed triangulars are fairly common in the southwestern New York State, northwestern Pennsylvania region. The artifact is 6-3/8 inches long, 4-1/2 inches wide, and 3/4 of an inch thick.

          The second artifact is a fluted triangular point. Fluted at an angle on its base, the artifact can be hafted to a shaft as an atlatl dart. Once again utilizing curved blade technology, the projectile will change direction upon entry of prey. Beveled along its length, the artifact is approximately 1-1/8 inches long by 7/8 of an inch wide. This "fluted ear" atlatl dart is far less commonly found in our area than the stemmed triangular artifact.

          Photo 1: Clovis stemmed triangular artifact.

          Photo 2: Clovis fluted triangular point.