A Mechanical and Functional Study of Bone Rods from the Richey–Roberts Clovis Cache, Washington, U.S.A.

Abstract Bone and ivory (osseous) rods of Paleoindian age have been found over much of North America, several from the same contexts that produced Clovis points. Previous researchers have suggested that these artefacts were projectile points, foreshafts, pressure-flaker handles or sled shoes. Published morphometric data indicate that the rods display varied attribute combinations, but these data are not consistently reported, and no set of typologically definitive attributes has been established. It also is unclear which attributes of the rods are related mechanically to rod function. Experimental replication and mechanical testing of the functional interrelations of numerous attributes of the 14 fluted Clovis points and 14 bone rods recovered from the Richey–Roberts Clovis cache in eastern Washington led to the conclusion that the rods from this site served a primary function as levered hafting wedges used to tighten sinew binding on saw-like implements.

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