Projectile Point Rejuvenation: A Technological Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the experimental production, use, and rejuvenation of 30 projectile points. Breakage patterns and morphological change of points resulting from rejuvenation are documented. The debitage produced during each stage of the experiment was examined from a technological perspective and assessed in terms of its archaeological visibility. The assemblages resulting from point production and rejuvenation are quite different from one another and each can be identified through a technological analysis. The study indicates that a curational behavior such as rejuvenation can be identified in the archaeological record if the proper sampling, field recovery, and analytical techniques are employed.