13,000 years ago, humans had to come up with creative ways to survive in icy environments. Recent studies suggest that their solutions were more inventive and brutal than previously thought: Ice Age hunters likely used weapons to impale prey such as mammoths and sabre-toothed tigers.
This discovery could potentially resolve a long-standing debate regarding the purpose of ancient tools known as Clovis points. These sharp rocks, made of materials like chert and flint, have been found throughout the United States in various sizes. While it was initially believed that Clovis points were used as spear tips by skilled hunters for hunting large animals like mammoths and bison, a new study suggests a different perspective.
Published in the journal PLoS One, the study conducted by archaeologists from the University of California, Berkeley proposes that these weapons were used to ensnare and wound charging animals, and possibly even defend against sabre-toothed cats.
So how did this hunting method work? Hunters likely positioned the sharpened spear in the ground at an angle, allowing the animal’s momentum to drive the spear deep into its body upon impact. This innovative technique provided a strategic advantage in hunting large animals, making it more effective than traditional spear-throwing.
“This ancient Native American design represents a significant advancement in hunting strategies,” stated Scott Byrum, a contributing researcher. John Myers, the lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding ancient survival techniques that have been utilized worldwide for millennia.
To validate their findings, the researchers conducted experimental simulations of the hunting technique in addition to analyzing historical records and literature. This process led to a better understanding of how Clovis points were used to hunt mammoths during the Ice Age.
Recreating this ancient hunting technique through experimental models enabled researchers to gain insight into the effectiveness and practicality of pike hunting. Byrum and his team aim to further test their theory by creating a simulated mammoth to assess the durability and impact of the Clovis point.
This method of impaling prey, known as pike hunting, has historical precedence in warfare and hunting practices. During the Ice Age, this technology was crucial for survival as it allowed hunters to reuse their weapons and avoid the challenge of finding suitable materials for crafting new spears in harsh winter conditions.
By discovering how Clovis points were utilized in hunting, researchers have shed light on the coexistence of early humans with large extinct animals. This new perspective highlights the innovative strategies employed by ancient hunters and deepens our understanding of human history.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
