Asphaltum hafting and projectile point durability: an experimental comparison of three hafting methods

The design of a projectile delivery system often plays a critical role in the durability and breakage patterns associated with spent projectile points. This paper presents the results of an experimental project designed to examine projectile point durability and breakage patterns between three different hafting methods. Specifically, we compare two asphaltum hafting techniques drawn from archaeological and ethnohistoric accounts from the Central Valley of California with a more stereotypical cross-hatched sinew hafting system. Our results suggest a small yet statistically significant increase in durability among asphaltum hafted points, opening the door to future research on these ethnohistorically documented hafting techniques.

► Obsidian arrow points were shot at a composite animal target.
► We evaluate the potential influence of asphaltum hafting on point durability.
►  We show significant differences between two of three hafting methods.
► We discuss implications for other experimental projectile point projects.
► Asphaltum may have been widely used for hafting points in prehistoric California.