Barbed points?
Hundreds of barbed points in excellent condition were found during the
archaeological excavations. This is all that remains of the hunting and fishing
tools which were used at Edward Lake. These points would have been part of
composite tools which would have also included wooden poles and ties of
undetermined organic matter (such as animal tendons, vines...)
These points were originally cut from bone. Then, local conditions related to volcanism
caused a very rapid fossilization of the bone: today these points are stone. It was on
the shore of the lake that the points were made. Parts were found from all stages of
production, as well as the cutting tools and polishers needed to produce the points.
A whole workshop!
Two kinds of points?
There are simple barbed points and also harpoon points. The difference lies
in how the point is fitted: for the harpoon, the tip is detachable from the shaft
upon impact with prey, while the barbed point remains attached.