A long-standing belief about how ancient hunters took down mammoths and mastodons may need a rethink. Researchers have traditionally assumed they hurled spears at these prehistoric giants. However, a new study suggests that hunters actually used their weapons like pikes, impaling the beasts as they charged.
The study, published in the journal PLOS One, focuses on Clovis points, distinctive stone tools dating back around 13,000 years. These points, named after the town in New Mexico where they were first discovered, are found across North America and are known for their distinctive scalloped edges and fluted indentations. While some researchers have long believed Clovis points were mounted on wooden shafts to create spears, others have argued they were too broad to effectively penetrate the thick hide of large animals.
The authors of this new study propose a different scenario: the Clovis points were indeed mounted on wooden shafts, but these weapons were too valuable to risk throwing. They argue that hunters would have used these points as pikes, bracing the weapon against the ground and impaling the charging animal.
To test their theory, the researchers reconstructed an ancient weapon using a replica Clovis point, a pine shaft, and a resin cast of an original bone shaft. They then subjected this weapon to forces similar to a charging mammoth. Their experiments revealed that the weapon could withstand significant forces, suggesting that it could indeed pierce the animal’s hide and flesh.
Furthermore, the experiments showed that the spear broke in half when subjected to forces equivalent to hitting the bone of a charging mammoth. This breaking point, however, only occurred after the weapon had already impaled the animal, effectively widening the wound and causing massive internal injuries. This breaking pattern, according to the researchers, suggests that the weapon was actually designed to maximize tissue damage.
The study emphasizes that the ancient hunters were not just using any spear for this purpose. The design of the Clovis point, with its specific shape and fluted indentations, allowed for this innovative hunting strategy.
Lead author Scott Byram describes this ancient Native American hunting technique as an “amazing innovation.” He notes that not only could the pikes kill huge animals quickly, but they also provided protection for the hunter who stood behind them. This approach also highlights the ingenuity of these early hunters, who skillfully harnessed the energy of a charging animal to their advantage, while conserving valuable resources like their weapons.
This study provides compelling evidence that challenges traditional assumptions about how ancient hunters interacted with large animals. It sheds new light on the ingenuity and adaptability of ancient peoples, reminding us that there’s always more to discover about our past.
