Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of California and the Great Basin: [Hardcover]

Noel D. Justice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002

Noel Justice adds another regional guide to his series of important reference works that survey, describe, and categorize the projectile point and cutting tools used in prehistory by Native American peoples. This volume addresses the region of California and the Great Basin. 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 the Southwestern United States, 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, Choice, December 2002

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

"... more than a point guide... [it] provides a tremendous amount of introductory information on many aspects of archaeology....Justice had made a most worthwhile contribution to the archaeological community." —Newsletter of the South Dakota Archaeology Society

(Newsletter of the South Dakota Archaeology Society )

About the Author

Noel D. Justice, Assistant Director and Curator of Collections of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at Indiana University, is author of Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of the Midcontinental and Eastern United States (Indiana University Press).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253339111
• ISBN-13: 978-0253339119
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points, June 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of California and the Great Basin: (Hardcover)

This is a valuable reference material for anyone doing serious research on projectile points and cutting tools or for the collector/hobbyist.
The format is user friendly, the illustrations are excellent and the information is thorough.
This book is a great addition to any reference collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of California and the Great Basin, March 21, 2006

By 

R-key "wildwoman" (Milwaukie, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of California and the Great Basin: (Hardcover)

An excellent guide for complete coverage of the many different types of projectile points found in this region. I have found this to be an invaluable field research reference in my work as a CRM archaeologist in this area of the Northwestern part of the Unites States.

Patricia L. Lyttle, B.S.
Research Archaeologist

5.0 out of 5 stars Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of California and the Great Basin, June 9, 2010

By 

Craig Elkins - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of California and the Great Basin: (Hardcover)

The information presented is well organized, very in depth and extremely informative. The many illustations and maps help the reader visualise the material that is being presented. There is a wealth of information to glean from this reference on this subject.