North American Clovis Point Form and Performance III: An Experimental Assessment of Knife Cutting Efficiency

ABSTRACT

This study is an experimental assessment of Clovis knife use. This work is the third contribution in a series of experiments aimed at shedding light on the functional performance of distinct Clovis “point” forms. Here, we used seven replica Clovis point forms, representing the average and extremes of observed Clovis form, in two cutting tasks: rope cutting and clay cutting. Statistical comparison of cutting time, our measure of cutting efficiency, indicated differences among the knife forms in both tasks. These results, especially when considered with previous penetration and durability studies, are largely consistent with the hypothesis that selection of functional attributes contributed to Clovis point variability and evolution across North America. We also show that better knives serve as poorer points, and vice versa, but better knives are more durable than poorer knives. We conclude with discussion of knife use, allometry, and knife use in other time periods.

KEYWORDS:

• North America
• Clovis
• knives
• experimental archaeology
• cultural evolution
• Late Pleistocene

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Craig Ratzat of Neolithics (www.neolithics.com) and Bob and Cheryl Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl (www.thunderbirdatlatl.com) for their tireless efforts in producing the specimens used in this experiment, as well as for providing descriptions for the production of the stone projectile tips and how they were hafted. We would also like to thank the participants of the experiment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.

Notes

1 Based on experiments, Werner et al. (2019) questioned the hypothesis that edge-grinding protected haft lashings from damage. However, Shott et al. (2021, p. 3) state Werner et al.’s (2019) “results seem uncertain.” One would not realize it from reading Shott et al. (2021) manuscript, but Werner et al. (2019, pp. 5844–5845) agree entirely, and provide several caveats, suggested follow up studies, and even wrote that “we are hesitant at the present time to reject it [the lashing protection hypothesis] entirely.” Additionally, Shott et al. (2021, p. 3) depict Werner et al.’s (2019) recording of lashing damage as confusing. It was not. Ignoring for a moment the fact that the overall experimental results were null because there was virtually no damage to any specimens, Werner et al. (2019, p. 5842) clearly note, and depict in a figure (Werner et al., 2019, Figure 7), that damage recording applied to the lashings in general, not just the lashings along the edge.

2 There are several excellent archaeological experiments before this time; however, we would argue those are exceptions, rather than the rule (Eren et al., 2016). And the occurrence of those early gems does not negate the fact that tremendous strides have been made in experimental archaeology over the last 20 years.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Award IDs: 1649395, 1649406, 1649409). M.I.E., M.R.B., and A.M. are supported by the Kent State University College of Arts and Sciences, and A.M. is supported by a Kent State University Graduate Student Senate (GSS) grant.

Notes on contributors

Anna Mika

Anna Mika is a M.A. candidate in Anthropology at Kent State University.

Briggs Buchanan

Briggs Buchanan, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Tulsa.

Robert Walker

Robert Walker, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Missouri.

Alastair Key

Alastair Key, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge.

Brett Story

Brett Story, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Southern Methodist University Lyle School of Engineering.

Michelle Bebber

Michelle Bebber, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Kent State University.

Metin I. Eren

Metin I. Eren, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Kent State University and a Research Associate in the Department of Archaeology at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.