Projectile points are ubiquitous in the archaeological record. They are distinctive, numerous, and indestructible. Archeologists and amateurs have been collecting and studying them for years. In 1964, famed archaeologist Joffre Coe established a projectile point typology for the Carolinas that sought to establish a time line for points. The “Coe axiom” theorized that there was only one point type for a given time and location thus making the time line feasible.
In this study of projectile points in North Carolina, Eastern Carolina University archaeologist I. Randolph Daniel, Jr. re-examines Coe’s thesis, updates Coe’s typology, and recalibrates his time line.
Daniel also examines the role of avocational archaeologists and collectors in the study of projectile points. Thousands of points are in private collections and some are of real scientific importance to scholars. He calls for greater cooperation between professional and amateur archaeologists that would benefit both. Professionals gain from greatly increased data and the opportunity to improve the techniques of amateurs. Amateurs gain from increased knowledge and scientific value of their collections.
This book is a valuable case study of an important part of the study of the archaeological record. Amateurs and professionals alike will greatly benefit from it.
