Antler Tine Projectile Point

Creators

Chucalissa Museum

Preview

Description

Projectile points like this were created from antler / antler tine. Unlike their stone counterparts which first need to be broken (flaked) into a smaller core piece from which the projectile point can then be shaped, once the top segment of antler time is removed from the main antler, the resulting antler tine tip is already more or less the correct shape for a projectile point. Even so, this naturally suitable shape was sometimes still enhanced by scraping and grinding the pointed end of the antler tine into the optimal shape and sharpness. Furthermore, the distal end of the projectile point was often drilled into longitudinally and then broken off to create a barb at the end of the point (unfortunately these have broken off of the example pictured here). Although less common, the antler tine pre-forms could also be worked at all edges through grinding and, perhaps, rough percussion techniques, to produce an antler tine projectile point whose edges more closely resemble the blade-edge of a stone projectile point.

Recommended Citation

Museum, Chucalissa, "Antler Tine Projectile Point" (2022). Artifacts. 63.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/chnash-museum-chucalissa-gallery2/63