In anthropology and archaeology, an arrowhead (or arrowpoint) is a small, pointed stone or metal artifact designed to be attached to the end of a shaft, forming a projectile weapon. Arrowheads are among the most common artifacts found at archaeological sites and are key to understanding prehistoric technology, hunting practices, and cultural identity.

🌍 Definition

• Arrowhead / Arrowpoint: A projectile point specifically made for arrows, distinguished from larger spear or dart points.
• Materials:
  • Stone (flint, obsidian, chert, quartzite).
  • Bone, antler, or shell.
  • Later, metals (bronze, iron).
• Manufacture: Produced by flaking (knapping) or grinding, then hafted onto wooden shafts with sinew, resin, or fiber.

🔑 Anthropological Contexts

• Prehistoric Technology:
  • Arrowheads represent advances in hunting efficiency and warfare.
  • Smaller size compared to spear points reflects adaptation to bow-and-arrow technology.
• Cultural Variation:
  • Distinct styles (notched, stemmed, triangular) are diagnostic of specific cultures and time periods.
  • Example: Clovis points (Paleoindian) vs. Woodland triangular points.
• Subsistence & Economy:
  • Arrowheads reveal hunting strategies—small game, birds, or larger animals.
  • Trade networks often spread distinctive point styles across regions.
• Symbolism & Ritual:
  • Some arrowheads were made for ceremonial use, not practical hunting.
  • Burial sites often include finely crafted points as grave goods.

📚 Importance in Anthropology

• Chronology: Point styles are used to date archaeological sites.
• Cultural Identity: Distinctive designs reflect group traditions and technological choices.
• Human Adaptation: Arrowheads show how societies responded to environmental and subsistence challenges.
• Interdisciplinary Insight: Connects archaeology with geology (raw materials), engineering (weapon design), and anthropology (social meaning).

In short: Arrowheads (arrowpoints) are small, crafted projectile tips made from stone, bone, or metal, central to archaeological studies of technology, subsistence, and cultural identity.