Knowra Clovis point Clovis point A fluted stone projectile point associated with the Clovis culture of North America, dating to roughly 13,000 years ago. Its distinctive channel flakes helped attach it to a shaft.
Clovis culture : An archaeological culture in North America known for distinctive stone tools and sites dating to about 13,000 years ago. Clovis points are the culture’s signature artifacts and give it its name.
Clovis fluting technique : A method of striking long channel flakes from the base of a Clovis point, often after preparing a platform. This specialized finishing step produced the characteristic basal groove.
Blackwater Draw : An archaeological locality near Clovis, New Mexico, with evidence of Clovis-age occupation and extinct fauna. Its excavations helped establish the Clovis culture and its characteristic points.
Folsom point : A Paleoindian projectile point with a deeply fluted base, associated with the later Folsom tradition of North America. Its longer, more extensive flute distinguishes it from the typical Clovis point.
Fluting (lithic technology) : A stoneworking technique that removes a long flake from a tool’s base, creating a channel. The channel flake is the defining feature of Clovis points.
Pressure flaking : A stoneworking technique that detaches flakes by pressing a pointed tool against an edge. It could refine the edges and shape of a Clovis point.
Gault Site : An archaeological site in central Texas with extensive evidence of ancient stone-tool production and occupation. Its deposits preserve abundant Clovis artifacts, including points and manufacturing debris.
Western Stemmed Tradition : A diverse tradition of stemmed stone points found across western North America, with some sites as old as or older than Clovis. Its age and distinct point forms complicate a simple Clovis-first account.
Lithic reduction : The process of shaping stone by removing flakes to produce tools. Clovis points are finished products of carefully sequenced flake removal.
Stone tool hafting : The attachment of a stone tool to a handle or shaft using bindings, adhesives, or both. The fluted base helped seat the point in a shaft or foreshaft.
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