Synopses & Reviews
The American Southwest is the focus for this volume in Noel Justice's series of reference works that survey, describe, and categorize the projectile point and cutting tools used in prehistory by Native American peoples. Written for archaeologists and amateur collectors alike, the book describes over 50 types of stone arrowhead and spear points according to period, culture, and region. With the knowledge of someone trained to fashion projectile points with techniques used by the Indians, Justice describes how the points were made, used, and re-sharpened. His detailed drawings illustrate the way the Indians shaped their tools, what styles were peculiar to which regions, and how the various types can best be identified. There are hundreds of drawings, organized by type cluster and other identifying characteristics. The book also includes distribution maps and color plates that will further aid the researcher or collector in identifying specific periods, cultures, and projectile types.
Review
"This title has been reviewed jointly with Stone Age spear and arrow points of California and the Great Basin, by Noel D. Justice. Justice's two volumes continue the format of his 1988 survey and compilation of projectile points recovered from the midcontinental and eastern US. Together, they provide detailed information about 52 point types known from excavation and surface collection in the Southwest, the Great Basin, and California. Each distinctive form is first defined by shape and unique aspects of flaking and base shape, then by its first known occurrence in the archaeological record. Age and cultural affiliation and geographical distribution are presented, with frequent citations to the detailed bibliography at the end of each volume. The volumes begin with a series of high-quality color plates illustrating type specimens of each cluster, followed by an identification key. Introductory essays set forth each book's organization, present issues relating to the illustration, photography, and metrical classification of projectile points, discuss raw materials and technologies used in manufacture, and evaluate evidence for a possible pre-Clovis occupation horizon in North America. Written for both general readers and practicing archaeologists, these works belong in all college, university, field laboratory, and museum libraries supporting courses and research in North American archaeology." --R. B. M. Ridinger, Northern Illinois University, 2002dec CHOICE Indiana University Press Indiana University Press
Synopsis
Part of a series of regional guides that surveys, describes and categorises projectile points and cutting tools in prehistory, this volume focuses on the American Southwest. Many different types of projectiles are identified, described, and illustrated, along with discussion of the production process and retouch, accompanied by distribution maps and photographs.
Table of Contents
Preliminary Table of Contents:
List of figures
List of color plates
List of maps
Preface
Acknowledgments
Projectile Point Identification Key
Introduction
Type Descriptions and Type Clusters (The Organizational Concept for the Book); Illustration and Photography of Projectile Points; Metrical Classification of Projectile Points; Projectile Point Manufacture; Weapon Technology; The Earliest Ancestors
Projectile Point Type Descriptions
Clovis Cluster
Clovis
Folsom Cluster
Folsom
Lanceolate Plano Cluster
Plainview; Midland; Agate Basin; Milnesand
Great Basin Stemmed Cluster
Lake Mojave; Silver Lake
Scottsbluff Cluster
Scottsbluff; Eden; Cody Knife
Bajada Cluster
Bajada
San Jos
San Jos
Pinto Cluster
Pinto
Northern Side Notched Cluster
Northern Side Notched; Sudden Side Notched; San Rafael Side
Notched; Ventana Side Notched
Pandale Cluster
Pandale
Datil Cluster
Datil
Cortaro Cluster
Cortaro
Maljamar Cluster
Maljamar
Gypsum Cluster
Gypsum
San Pedro Cluster
San Pedro Corner Notched
Black Mesa Cluster
Black Mesa Narrow Neck
Cienega Cluster
Tularosa Corner Notched; Tularosa Basal Notched; Carlsbad
Livermore Cluster
Guadalupe; Livermore
Dolores Cluster
Dolores Straight Stem; Dolores Expanding Stem
Chaco Cluster
Chaco Corner Notched; Bonito Notched; Temporal; Pueblo Alto Side
Notched; Kin Kletso Side Notched
Western Triangular Cluster
Cottonwood Triangular; Bull Creek; Cohonina Triangular; Sobaipuri
Snaketown Cluster
Gila River Corner Notched; Salt River Indented Base; Snaketown
Triangular Straight Base; Snaketown Triangular Concave Base; Hodges
Contracting Stem
Pueblo Side Notched Cluster
Pueblo Side Notched; Ridge Ruin Side Notched; Point of Pines Side
Notched; Walnut Canyon Side Notched; Gatlin Side Notched; Citrus Side
Notched; Snaketown Side Notched; White Mountain Side Notched; Buck
Taylor Notched; Awotovi Side Notched
Appendix: Projectile Point Measurements
References Cited
Index