Clovis Culture Discoveries

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Questions and Answers

What motivated Edgar B. Howard to travel to New Mexico in 1932?

To investigate a find of ancient bones (correct)

To participate in a competitive excavation

To study the local wildlife

To conduct general archaeological research

Clovis points have been found in numerous locations throughout South America.

True

What are the slender spear points that Edgar B. Howard discovered called?

Clovis points

The oldest securely dated Clovis points were discovered in ______.

Texas Signup and view all the answers

Match the following materials with their corresponding use in making Clovis points:

Jasper = Chipped for spear points Obsidian = Chipped for spear points Chert = Chipped for spear points Fine, brittle stone = Chipped for spear points Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes Clovis points?

Lance-shaped with concave grooves Signup and view all the answers

Edgar B. Howard was associated with the University of New Mexico during his archaeological work.

False Signup and view all the answers

What challenges exist in dating stone objects like Clovis points?

Dating stone objects is difficult and results are often controversial. Signup and view all the answers

What do Clovis points signify about early societies in the Americas?

They indicate the spread of multiple independent groups. Signup and view all the answers

All researchers agree that the Clovis culture was the first and only culture in the Americas.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary use of Clovis points initially thought to be?

Hunting tools for big game. Signup and view all the answers

Clovis points were part of a generalized tool kit known as the __________ of the ancient world.

Leatherman Signup and view all the answers

Match the archaeological evidence with its significance:

Fossilized human excrement = Pre-Clovis settlement Butchered bones = Clovis hunting practices Clovis points = Technology adoption Clovis culture = Cultural diversity Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant change regarding the Clovis culture as researched by Donald Grayson and David Meltzer?

They concluded the Clovis people primarily depended on foraging. Signup and view all the answers

Clovis points disappeared after three or four centuries of use.

True Signup and view all the answers

What ecological factor contributed to the split of the Clovis culture into separate groups?

Adaptation to different environments. Signup and view all the answers

Charles C. Mann describes the comprehensive history of the Americas dating back at least __________ years.

13,500 Signup and view all the answers

What is a key takeaway from the study of the Clovis culture according to Charles C. Mann?

The Americas have a rich history that predates Columbus. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Edgar B. Howard and the Clovis Discovery

Edgar B. Howard was an archaeology research associate at the University of Pennsylvania Museum in November 1932.
He traveled to eastern New Mexico after learning about a cache of ancient bones discovered by a road crew.
Howard excavated a site in Clovis, uncovering mammoth bones and slender spear points known as Clovis points.

Characteristics of Clovis Points

Clovis points are distinctive spear points made from jasper, chert, and obsidian.
They feature a lance-shaped tip with sharp edges and shallow concave grooves called “flutes” for shaft insertion.
Typical size is about four inches long and one-third of an inch thick, often exhibiting beautiful craftsmanship.

Cultural Significance and Distribution

Over 10,000 Clovis points have been found across 1,500 locations in North America, with some as far south as Venezuela.
The oldest securely dated Clovis points date back 13,500 years, found in Texas.
Clovis points rapidly proliferated, appearing from Florida to Montana within a few centuries.
Archaeologists speculate that the swift spread indicates a single way of life, known as the Clovis culture.

Debate Over Cultural Origins

Initial thought placed Clovis culture as the earliest American culture; however, subsequent evidence suggested pre-Clovis settlements in Chile and Oregon.
Pre-Clovis evidence includes fossilized human excrement, indicating earlier human habitation in the Americas.

Hunting and Subsistence Patterns

Clovis culture was initially believed to focus on hunting megafauna like mammoths and saber-toothed tigers.
Recent studies show that evidence of large-game hunting is scarce, with only 14 out of numerous Clovis sites showing solid evidence.
Clovis people likely relied more on foraging, hunting small mammals, and fishing, using a generalized tool kit that included Clovis points.

Cultural Evolution and Legacy

Clovis points were used for approximately three to four centuries before the culture disappeared.
As Clovis groups adapted to different ecological zones, cultural diversity emerged over the next 10,000 years.
The physical remnants of Clovis culture include tools like the Clovis points, which remain the clearest markers of America's first extensive cultural presence.

Historical Perspective

Charles C. Mann emphasizes the importance of recognizing the Americas' rich history that predates Columbus, marking the first fabrication of stone tools by Clovis people.
Understanding this history contributes to a broader narrative of human civilization.

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Description

This quiz explores Edgar B. Howard's journey and the discovery of significant ancient bones in Clovis, New Mexico. It examines his career in archaeology and the competitive nature of the field during the 1930s. Test your knowledge on this fascinating period of archaeological history.