What is significant about the Gault site?
It bears evidence of almost continuous human occupation, starting at least 16,000 years ago—making it one of the few archaeological sites in the Americas at which compelling evidence has been found for human occupation dating to before the appearance of the Clovis culture.
Where can I find Clovis points?
Points are found at single-episode kill sites, multiple-episode kill sites, campsites, in caches, and as isolated artifact finds. Campsites and caches are extremely rare finds. Our best information on how Clovis points were made comes from caches.
Where were pre-Clovis stone flakes found?
“Clovis artifacts are distinctive prehistoric stone tools so named because they were initially found near Clovis, New Mexico, in the 1920s but have since been identified throughout North and South America,” Dr. Williams said.
Where are Clovis artifacts generally found?
Clovis points, which were made early in the Paleoindian period, have been found throughout North America, most often associated with the bones of mammoths. Folsom points were made later, and they are found mostly in the central and western parts of the continent, often in association with the bones of bison.
How old is the Gault site?
Oldest component in Area 15 of the Gault site is >15,000 years old.
Who excavated the Gault site?
James E. Pearce
James E. Pearce, the first professional archeologist in Texas, learned of the Gault Farm site and excavated there in 1929-1930. Over the next 60 years, artifact collectors churned up the upper deposits over almost the entire site, but stopped digging when the dark rich midden soil played out.
Why are Clovis so expensive?
Why are Clovis points worth so much more than ordinary arrowheads? Their value comes from their rarity. While you can find arrowheads made in recent centuries in your local woods, Clovis arrowheads are much harder to find.
What is a Clovis arrowhead look like?
Clovis arrowheads are fluted (leaf like furrows in the central part of the base). Clovis arrowheads have concave base and convex sides. The broadest areas for Clovis arrowheads are situated either in the near midsection or toward the base of the point. Clovis arrowheads are usually crafted out of stone or chert.
Are Clovis points Rare?
Stanford says that Clovis points are rare, but it’s not uncommon to find them on beaches. However, usually someone goes looking for them, not the other way around.
Why are Clovis points fluted?
This fluted point turned out to be an invention that allowed these colonizers to travel great distances with some confidence that their weaponry would hold up at least long enough until they could find the next rock quarry to make new points.
Are Clovis points valuable?
One of the most valuable ancient American artifacts is a prehistoric Clovis point, sometimes worth thousands or as much as 276,000 dollars. Usually, arrowheads are only worth about $20 or so, but rare Clovis points are worth a lot more.
Where is Blackwater Draw?
New Mexico
Blackwater Draw is an intermittent stream channel about 140 km (87 mi) long, with headwaters in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, about 18 km (11 mi) southwest of Clovis, New Mexico, and flows southeastward across the Llano Estacado toward the city of Lubbock, Texas, where it joins Yellow House Draw to form Yellow House …
Where was the Gault site in Clovis Texas?
Ecotones and Endless Flint. To understand why Clovis peoples repeatedly came to Gault and apparently stayed for quite some time, you first have to know where it is and what it had to offer. The Gault site is located in central Texas about 40 miles north of Austin, halfway between Georgetown and Killeen (Ft. Hood).
Where are pre Clovis projectile points found in Texas?
Archaeologists Find Pre-Clovis Projectile Points in Texas. At the Gault archaeological site in central Texas, archaeologists have unearthed a projectile point technology never previously seen in North America, which they date to be 16,000-20,000 years old.
How did Gault Clovis get interested in the New World?
His interest in the early peoples of the New World started when he first found Paleoindian artifacts around the playa lakes near Midland, Texas, while still a teenager. He studied archeology and geology at the University of Texas and then went on to get a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona.
Where was the point in Clovis Texas found?
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS. This Clovis point was found several years ago by David Olmstead while digging on the Gault site in Williamson County, Texas. He found it near some engraved limestone water worn pebbles. This point is slightly “fishtailed” and it was fluted at least three times on one side.