Cloth-Clad Clovis

[Frank Harrist]

Don't know why you'd limit that to 'some African tribes'.

Because they have comparable animals.

[wxsby]

PS... might not be asking dumb questions for the next week or so. Heading for the southern Arizona desert to explore some old trails with some friends. Hope to find something interesting... maybe some Clovis sweatshirts?

[Frank Harrist]

Is that avatar the young Frank? When he was still an anti Vietnam War hippie?

That war was long over when that pic was taken. I disagree(d) with that war, but had i been old enough I would have fought in it. I have always felt that I missed a big adventure.
The pic is from the early 80's when i was a young stud singer/frontman for a rock band called "Chain'd Lightnin'".

[uniface]

Do not know if those involved have ever read Errett Callahan's experiments with a dead circus elephant? His experiments are reprinted in The Bulletin of Primitive Technology #7 Spring 1994. Thrusting spears could not penetrate more than 3 inches. Atlatl darts penetrated half the depth of the chest cavity (a sure kill). The depth of foreshaft penetration ceased where the foreshaft met the shaft, explaining why recovered foreshafts are at least 20 inches long. Specific styles of hafting and foreshaft design penetrated better than others. A well tapered foreshaft penetrated deeper.

http://www.pbs.org/opb/timeteam/blog/20 ... first.html

[Digit]

BUt But But But the damn thrower wasn't invented till much later!!!!!

Roy.

[Rokcet Scientist]

BUt But But But the damn thrower wasn't invented till much later!!!!!

"Much later" than what?
And how do you know when they were invented at all?

[Digit]

"Much later" than what?

The spear, and 'cos the experts tell me so.

Roy.

[uniface]

The "experts" are making it up as they go along.

[Digit]

Any evidence in support of that uni?

Roy.

[uniface]

The fact that the party line changes every time they actually learn something.

[Digit]

Granted, but the current 'party line' confirms my post, anyway, would you prefer them to ignore new evidence and not change their view?

Roy.

[dannan14]

The fact that the party line changes every time they actually learn something.

Umm, isn't that how we want it to be? i mean, if the evidence doesn't change someone's mind, what will?

[uniface]

Evidence of progress, undoubtedly. And therefore encouraging.

But with a little more of "We have no earthly idea," the picture would start vague and gradually come into focus rather than lurching from one presumed certainty to the next one. The story has changed repeatedly over time. But the tone of certainty hasn't . . .

Man in the Americas is 3,000 years old. Period.

Man in the Americas is 11,000 years old. Period.

Man in the Americas is ____________ etc.

[dannan14]

i'd be happy if they simply said "at least xxxx" years old based on the oldest evidence.

[Digit]

No disagreement there Uni, but not quite tha same as 'making it up as they go along' though.

Roy.