Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of the Southwestern United States: [Hardcover]

Noel D. Justice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 2002 | Series: American Southwest

The American Southwest is the focus for this volume in Noel Justice's series of reference works that survey, describe, and categorize the projectile point and cutting tools used in prehistory by Native American peoples. Written for archaeologists and amateur collectors alike, the book describes over 50 types of stone arrowhead and spear points according to period, culture, and region. With the knowledge of someone trained to fashion projectile points with techniques used by the Indians, Justice describes how the points were made, used, and re-sharpened. His detailed drawings illustrate the way the Indians shaped their tools, what styles were peculiar to which regions, and how the various types can best be identified. There are hundreds of drawings, organized by type cluster and other identifying characteristics. The book also includes distribution maps and color plates that will further aid the researcher or collector in identifying specific periods, cultures, and projectile types.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This title has been reviewed jointly with Stone Age spear and arrow points of California and the Great Basin, by Noel D. Justice. Justice's two volumes continue the format of his 1988 survey and compilation of projectile points recovered from the midcontinental and eastern US. Together, they provide detailed information about 52 point types known from excavation and surface collection in the Southwest, the Great Basin, and California. Each distinctive form is first defined by shape and unique aspects of flaking and base shape, then by its first known occurrence in the archaeological record. Age and cultural affiliation and geographical distribution are presented, with frequent citations to the detailed bibliography at the end of each volume. The volumes begin with a series of high-quality color plates illustrating type specimens of each cluster, followed by an identification key. Introductory essays set forth each book's organization, present issues relating to the illustration, photography, and metrical classification of projectile points, discuss raw materials and technologies used in manufacture, and evaluate evidence for a possible pre-Clovis occupation horizon in North America. Written for both general readers and practicing archaeologists, these works belong in all college, university, field laboratory, and museum libraries supporting courses and research in North American archaeology." —R. B. M. Ridinger, Northern Illinois University, 2002dec CHOICE

(R. B. M. Ridinger, Northern Illinois University, 2002dec CHOICE )

About the Author

NOEL D. JUSTICE is Assistant Director and Curator of Collections of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at Indiana University. His previous work is Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of the Midcontinental and Eastern United States (Indiana).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (May 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 025333912X
• ISBN-13: 978-0253339126
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, July 10, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of the Southwestern United States: (Hardcover)

This is an essential reference. Noel Justice has done an amazing job of gathering the references and synthesizing a very complex and diverse array of "spear and arrow points" in this volume. I can also recommend "Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of California and the Great Basin". Well worth the rather high price.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, July 23, 2008

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Rough Customer (on your six) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of the Southwestern United States: (Hardcover)

I think this book is a very good book,in that it is a counter to the typical "price guide" arrowhead books, this book does not go that route, and discusses the lithics in more of a professional manner, and is more for people who are interested in the cultures, and the lithics and not in what something is worth. The only critique I have is that the book trys to cover too large an area...i would prefer one that is aimed at specific states (even though the boundaries lap over state lines), and would prefer the author to stick with established nomenclature as to lumping points into various categories. I think the book is headed in the right direction but needs improvements.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stone age spear and arrow points of the southwestern u.s., June 26, 2007

By 

James Harrington - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of the Southwestern United States: (Hardcover)

excellant point type guide to arrowheads of the southwest. Much information on the cultures that made them and on how they were made.