The feedback that changed how I date arrowheads

An old-timer at a local artifact show near St. Louis told me I was dating everything too broadly. He showed me how a 1/16th inch difference in base width on a Cahokia point puts it 200 years later than I thought. Now I measure every single notch and edge angle instead of just eyeballing the shape. Has anyone else had to totally rework their identification method after one piece of criticism?

2 comments

2 Comments

sean_murray2d ago

Wait, a 1/16th of an inch makes that big of a difference? That's crazy to me but I guess it makes sense if those old-timers have been looking at points for 50 years. I've always just eyeballed the general shape and called it good enough (which is probably why I have a box of "maybe Cahokia" points that are probably all wrong). Did he show you any specific reference materials or charts that break down those tiny measurements? I'm feeling like I need to start over on my whole collection now, especially since I've probably been dating things wrong for years without knowing it.

the_sarah1d ago

Nope, he literally pulled out calipers and measured to the 1/16th right in front of me, @sean_murray, and my mind was blown.