Archaeologists have found bullet points in Idaho several thousand years older than those previously found on the continent. article about it published at Science Advances.
A total of 14 intact and fragmented arrowheads were found, ranging in length from 1.3 to 5 centimeters. One side is made of a pointed stone, the other side is adapted for mounting on a shaft. By size and shape, the tips were designed for darts, not spears or arrows. The material of 12 of them is cryptocrystalline flint, two of them are made of volcanic rock. Both materials are available within a 10 km radius of the site.
The main feature of the finds is their age. They were made about 15,700 years ago – hence these are the oldest stone arrowheads in the Americas. In addition, scientists note similarities with clues found in Hokkaido, Japan, dating back 16,000-20,000 years. This confirms the existence of genetic links between the peoples of America and East Asia.
With such stone points it was possible to hunt not only small, but also large game, despite their size. A long, thin tip penetrates the body better and is more securely fixed in it, causing the animal to bleed.