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Does the shape of arrowheads/points define different Indian tribes or people?
There are perhaps hundreds of different shape projectile points used by ancient Native American Indians. Were these variations caused by people who spoke different languages and of different tribes?
Projectile points (AKA "arrowheads") come in many sizes and shapes. The term "arrowhead" could also refer to atlatal points, spear points and knives. "Otzi" the Neolithic mummy found in the Alps had a very small knife. Had it not been shafted, it would have been called an arrowhead.
Points are classified by the material used, the overall shape and if/how they are notched. The names of the styles (Rose Spring, Elko) are normally based on the site from which they were first described.
The advantage to the styles is that they changed over time. If you find an Elko point then you know:
"Elko Series (Corner-notched, Side-notched, Eared)
Very common throughout eastern California and the western Great Basin
Primarily Middle Archaic (ca. 4500-1500 BP)"
http://www.indiana.edu/~e472/cdf/training/primer/projectilepoints.html
That's a good deal of information from a piece of stone.
The 'however," is the size and shape of point are driven by their use. Most arrows need small (AKA "Bird") points, atlatal darts a bit larger and spears and knives larger still. Then the style is more representative of a time period then a tribe or culture.
In other words the B movie Western where the arrow thuds into the wagon, the hero pulls it out and says "Sioux" won't happen. Given, there were styles among tribes but no master list of what each tribe had to use for colors and points. Much was made of who shot an enemy or an animal. If all the arrows were the same, how would you know?
As a flint knapper, I've noted that my points are generally similar to the ones my teacher made. Normally there were only one of two knappers in a band that made points. It's comparable to cars. Most of us can do minor maintenance but take it to a mechanic for more extensive work. Most stone age peoples can retouch points (which will change their shape and style) but depend on someone else to actually produce points.
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