Macro- and micro-wear traces on lithic projectile points. Experimental results and prehistoric examples

Linear polishes and striations are microscopic damage indicating projectile impact.

“Experimental studies also determined microscopic damage indicating projectile impact.These are linear polishes and striations (Fischer et al., 1984;Moss and Newcomer, 1982;Crombe et al., 2001).”

Frequencies of macro-damage on projectile tips vary from 32% to 41%.

“while the frequencies of macro-damage on projectile tips vary from 32% (Crombe et al., 2001) to 41% (Fischer et al., 1984).”

For microlithic inserts, a spin-off of 1 mm length is considered diagnostic of projectile impact.

“For microlithic inserts a spin-off of 1mm length is considered as diagnostic of projectile impact, as shown by experimental results (Fischer et al., 1984).”

Two types of fractures can be recognized as diagnostic of projectile impact: step terminating bending fracture and spin-off.

“Fisher et al., (1984) determined that two types of fractures can be recognized as diagnostic of projectile impact, i.e., fracture types that could not have been produced as a result of other activities or as a result of production accident or trampling.”

The most common projectile damage described in experiments are bending and spin-off fractures that initiate either on a dorsal or ventral surface and continue parallel to the longitudinal axis of the point, removing part of its surface or part of its lateral edge.

“The most common projectile damage described in the experiments are bending and spin-off fractures that initiate either on a dorsal or ventral surface and continue parallel to the longitudinal axis of the point removing part of its surface or part of its lateral edge.”

Experiments with both weapon types have shown that spear and arrowheads receive similar types of fractures diagnostic of projectile impact.

“While no direct evidence of preserved weapons from the Late Pleistocene in the region were found (Valla, 1987), experiments with both weapon types have shown that spear and arrowheads receive similar types of fractures diagnostic of projectile impact (Fischer et al., 1984;Odell and Cowan, 1986;Cattelain, 1997).”

The use of flint points as tips of spears resulted in more prominent fractures in terms of their size and frequency than their use as arrowheads.

“It has been indicated, however, that the use of flint points as tips of spears resulted in more prominent fractures in terms of their size and frequency than their use as arrowheads (Fischer et al., 1984).”