Projectile Technology

Artifacts linked to projectile technologies traditionally have provided the foundations for time-space systematics and cultural-historic frameworks in archaeological research having to do with foragers. With the shift in archae­ ological research objectives to processual interpretations, projectile technolo­ gies continue to receive marked attention, but with an emphasis on the implications of variability in such areas as design, function, and material as they relate to the broader questions of human adaptation. The reason that this particular domain of foraging technology persists as an important focus of research, I think, comes in three parts. A projectile technology was a crucial part of most foragers' strategies for survival, it was functionally spe­ cific, and it generally was fabricated from durable materials likely to be detected archaeologically. Being fundamental to meat acquisition and the principal source of calo­ ries, projectile technologies were typically afforded greater time-investment, formal modification, and elaboration of attributes than others. Moreover, such technologies tend to display greater standardization because of con­ straints on size, morphology, and weight that are inherent to the delivery system. The elaboration of attributes and standardization of form gives pro­ jectile technologies time-and space-sensitivity that is greater than most other foraging technologies. And such sensitivity is immensely valuable in archae­ ological research.

Contenu

Introduction: The History and Development of Projectile Technology Research; H. Knecht. Factors Influencing the Use of Stone Projectile Tips: An Ethnographic Perspective; C.J. Ellis. Archaeological Perspectives: Middle Paleolithic Spear Point Technology; J. Shea. The Microwear and Morphology of Microliths from Gleann Mor; B. Finlayson, S. Mithen. Side-Notched and Unnotched Arrowpoints: Assessing Functional Differences; A.L. Christenson. Experimental Perspectives: Contributions of Multidisciplinary Experimentation to the Study of Upper Paleolithic Projectile Points; J.-M. Geneste, S. Maury. Bone, Antler, and Stone Projectile Points: Experimental Explorations of Manufacture and Use; H. Knecht. Hunting During the Upper Paleolithic: Spearthrower, Bow, or Both? P. Cattelain. Ethnoarchaeological Perspectives: Hunting and Multifunctional Use of Bows and Arrows: Ethnoarchaeology of Technological Organization Among Pumé Hunters of Venezuela; R. Greaves. A Comparison of Kua (Botswana) and Hadza (Tanzania) Bow and Arrow Hunting; L.E. Battram, Jr. Each According to Need and Fashion: Spear and Arrow Use Among Bushmen Hunters of the Kalahari; R. Hitchcock, P. Bleed. Conclusion: Projectile Points: Form, Function, and Design; M. Nelson. 2 Additional Chapters. Index.