Hollow-Base Projectile Point

The earliest concave-base projectiles date to the 5th millennium BC (e.g. (Caton-Thompson and Gardner 1934; Eiwanger 1984; Wendorf and Schild 2001). The latest versions are found in the Nile Valley dating to the 4th millennium BCE (Hikade 2001). Possible explanations for the decline of concave base projectiles in Egypt include changes in hunting practices, the increasing use of metals, and changes in lithic reduction techniques. There is ample stylistic variation among this type, including the degree of elongation of the point and barbs, the curvature of the sides and barbs, the depth of the notch, and the shape of the barb tips. The size can range from 3.5-10 cm in length. Due to the rather large size and weight, it is not clear whether they were used as arrowheads or spear points. Concave-base projectile points also had symbolic connotations, as some of the largest versions, which may have been unwieldy as projectiles, have been found in offering deposits at Hierakonpolis (Friedman 2008:69-70). Clay models of concave-base projectile points were also found in cemeteries (Garstang 1903:7, Pl. 3). Additionally, many concave-base projectile points were placed in tombs as grave goods, such as the one pictured here. It was found clasped in the hands of an older male (Brunton 1948:8, Pl. 3).

This example was very well made. The hollow base was formed by even bifacial edge retouch from both faces creating a centerline equidistant from both surfaces. The very flat parallel thinning scars and micro-serration are the result of pressure flaking. The microdenticulaitons are clearest at the tip, and may have been broken or not well formed on the sides. The arises of the flake scars in the center of each face are slightly worn down. This wear could be a result of use or exposure, but because the piece comes from an excavated tomb context it is likely occurred during use. Both tangs are broken on the ends so the piece originally would have been longer than it is now.



Elizabeth Hart, J. Clawson Mills Research Fellow, 2018




References

Brunton, Guy 1948. Matmar. London: B. Quaritch.

Caton-Thompson, Gertrude and Elinor W. Gardner 1934. The Desert Fayum. Vol. I–II. London: The Royal Antropological Institute of Great Brittan and Ireland.

Eiwanger, Josef 1984. Merimde-Benisalâme. Vol. I–III. Mainz am Rhein: Verlag Philipp von Zabern.

Garstang, John 1903. Maḥâsna and Bêt Khallâf. London: B. Quaritch.

Hikade, Thomas 2001. "Silex-Pfeilspitzen in Agypten." In Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Abteilung Kairo 57, pp. 109–26.

Wendorf, Fred and Romauld Schild 2001. Holocene Settlement of the Egyptian Sahara. Vol.1. New York: Kluwer Academic/ Plenum.


　

Excavated by Guy Brunton of the British Museum Expedition to Middle Egypt at Matmar, 1931. Allotted to the excavator by the Egyptian Government in the division of finds. Acquired by the Museum from Brunton, 1932.

The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can now connect to the most up-to-date data and images for more than 470,000 artworks in The Met collection. As part of The Met’s Open Access program, the data is available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

Learn more