Shock-absorbing spear points kept early North Americans on the hunt
Chipping away parts of the weapon’s base prevented its tip from snapping off
CLOVIS LINEUP Researchers studied how stone replicas of spear points (two at right) used by ancient Clovis people absorbed pressure. Results suggest Clovis points fluted at the base absorbed shock, preventing tip breakage while hunting. Three casts of actual fluted Clovis points are on the left.
M. Eren/Kent State Univ.