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Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:38 pm
by Frank Harrist
Don't know why you'd limit that to 'some African tribes'.
Because they have comparable animals.
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:41 pm
by 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?
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:42 pm
by Frank Harrist
Rokcet Scientist wrote: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'".
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 7:55 pm
by 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
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 3:38 am
by Digit
BUt But But But the damn thrower wasn't invented till much later!!!!!
Roy.
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 4:31 am
by Rokcet Scientist
Digit wrote: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?
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 5:28 am
by Digit
"Much later" than what?
The spear, and 'cos the experts tell me so.
Roy.
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:46 am
by uniface
The "experts" are making it up as they go along.
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:57 am
by Digit
Any evidence in support of that uni?
Roy.
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 8:40 am
by uniface
The fact that the party line changes every time they actually learn something.

Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:04 am
by 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.
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:06 am
by dannan14
uniface wrote: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?
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:03 am
by 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.
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:07 am
by dannan14
i'd be happy if they simply said "at least xxxx" years old based on the oldest evidence.
Re: Cloth-Clad Clovis
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:21 am
by Digit
No disagreement there Uni, but not quite tha same as 'making it up as they go along' though.
Roy.