In archaeology, a projectile point is an object that was hafted and used either as knife or projectile tip or both. Occasionally, projectile points made of worked bone or ivory are found at archaeological sites, but generally the term is reserved for a refined chipped-stone biface. Projectile points fall into two general types: dart points and arrow points. Dart points are defined as those bifaces which were used to tip spears and atlatl darts. Arrow points are smaller and lighter than dart points, and were used to tip arrows. In North American archaeology dart and arrow points come in an amazing variety of shapes and styles, which vary according to time and geographic area. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 649 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (2071 × 1912 pixel, file size: 175 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Projectile Point found near Wappingers Falls, NY, 1963 Note: If an expert can supply more information about this point, such as its estimated... Archaeology, archeology, or archæology (from the Greek words αÏχαίος = ancient and λόγος = word/speech/discourse) is the study of human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains and environmental data, including architecture, artefacts, biofacts, human remains, and landscapes. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A projectile is any object sent through space by the application of a force. ... Grays Anatomy illustration of a human femur. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... An archaeological site is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or historic or contemporary), and which has been investigated using the discipline of archaeology. ... Flint biface from Saint-Acheul, France. ... An atlatl (from Nahuatl ahtlatl ; in English pronounced [1] or [2]) or spear-thrower is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in spear-throwing, and includes a bearing surface which allows the user to temporarily store energy during the throw. ...
Projectilepoints vary a great deal in size, shape, and workmanship, and it is from such characteristics archaeologists are able to suggest the time period when certain types of points were in use.
The smaller sized dart points overlap with the larger sized arrow points and commonly one cannot be certain with regard to the classification of a particular point.
Arrow points are small sized and light weight projectilepoints, usually less than 35 mm in length and with a narrow stem or hafting width.
Items like arrows, hand darts, and spears are generally tipped with sharp metallic or lithic artifacts called projectilepoints that allow them to more easily penetrate a target, although some types of arrows used for hunting are designed to stun or kill through shock rather than to penetrate.
Projectiles designed to be non-lethal, for example for use against riots, include rubber bullets and flexible baton rounds.
Among projectiles which do not contain explosives are railguns, mass drivers, and kinetic energy penetrators, in addition to smaller weapons such as bullets.
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