Measuring allometry in dimensions of western North American Clovis points

摘要

Paleoindian Clovis points are a well-studied type whose size and shape at first use are reasonably documented. Yet Clovis points probably suffered damage and experienced reduction in use. Points are divisible into modules, which may have undergone different degrees of reduction, generating allometry-changing shape with changing size-distinct from original size and shape. Recognizing allometry improves typological assignment, measures curation and gauges prehistoric behavior against theoretical models. Bivariate and multivariate tests of linear dimensions of stem and blade modules in a sample of western North American Clovis points document clear allometric patterns, blades exhibiting more positive allometry than stems. Allometry was not an original design element of points but emerges as an integral character of their use-histories that requires control before attempting other inferences.