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Clovis point

Clovis points are the oldest flint tools associated with the North American Clovis culture. They date to the Paleo-Indian period around 13,500 years ago. They are named after the town of Clovis, New Mexico where the first examples were found in 1932.

The points are thin, fluted projectile objects created from bifacially pressure flaking flint, chert or other materials. Clovis points have a concave groove running longitudinally along them which archaeologists think permitted them to be fastened (hafted) to wooden spears.

They have been found all over North America and as far south as Panama. Whether Clovis points were devised in the Americas and evolved from a pre-Clovis society or came there through influences from elsewhere is a contentious issue amongst archaeologists.

Around 9000 BCE, there was a new type of fluted projectile points called Folsom.

Last updated: 05-07-2005 14:57:44
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04