Stone age spear and arrow points of the midcontinental and eastern United States : a modern survey and reference /

There have been popular publications illustrating arrow and spear points found in the US. The appeal is to the layperson, and to the amateur archaeologist hidden in each of us. There is also a plethora of reports in scientific journals that describe in great detail specific sites and the accumulated points found during excavation. Justice (Indiana University) admirably synthesizes the scientific information integrating it with the popular approach. The result is a publication that readers on both sides of the spectrum should enjoy as well as comprehend. His introduction gets the reader well on the way with simple definitions and even simpler drawings. The graphic illustrations of the type clusters that constitute the bulk of the book are well done. There is no attempt to be definitive for each cluster; typical specimens are employed with a generalized geographic distribution of each-some 50 clusters in all, ranging from Clovis to Morris. This makes the culture range from about 12,000 BCE to 1,200 CE. The pen-and-ink drawings are typical of reports that illustrate the manufacture (and resulting flaking) of points. The eight color photo plates are of tremendous help in visualizing this important remnant of America's early cultures. A valuable addition for large public libraries and academic collections.-F.G. Bock, Cerritos College