Glossary

Base

the lower end of a projectile point, where it attaches to a haft.  There are several common projectile point base shapes.

• Straight: the base is flat
• Concave:  the base is indented
• Convex: the base protrudes

Blade

that part of a projectile point above the hafted stem area.

Hafted area

the portion of a projectile point secured to a spear, dart, arrow, knife, or drill.

Notch

an indentation on the sides of the blade or at the corners of the base.  Native Americans notched projectile points to create a way to attach them to spears, darts, arrows, knives, or drills.

Projectile Point

a bifacially-flaked tool that is used as the tip of a spear, dart, arrow, knife, or drill.

Stem

hafted area of a projectile point.  There are several common stem shapes:

• Bifurcate: a stem that is notched at the base.
• Contracting: a stem with sides that converge towards the base.
• Corner Notched: a stem that is notched at the corner.
• Expanding: a stem that widens toward the base.
• Side Notched: a stem that is notched on the side.
• Square: a stem with parallel sides.