Stones Knapped in Stone
Posted by: 
Volcanoguy
N 43° 17.641 W 118° 58.450
11T E 339856 N 4795358
This history sign is located on Ore. Hwy. 205 at the junction with Double O Road.
Waymark Code: WMAVK7
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 02/27/2011
Views: 4
This is one of three history signs at this locations.
Marker Name: Stones Knapped in Stone
Marker Text: People have lived in this corner of the Northern Great Basin for more than 11,000 years! While much evidence of ancient culture has been lost to time and the elements, stone hunting points survive to share their stories. These points help tell of dramatic changes in climate and ecosystems, and how hunting technology improved over time.
Spear Points -- 11,500 - 7,000 years ago
Some of the earliest points date to a time when this region was cooler and wetter. The shape and size of these points tell us they were hafted to spear shafts and thrust or thrown into prey at very close range. The earliest points from this period may have been used to hunt now extinct horses, mammoths, and bison.
Atlatl Dart Points -- 7,000 - 1,500 years ago
About 7,000 years ago, ancient hunters began using the atlatl, a throwing board that allowed them to launch spears from greater distances with more speed and force, allowing the use of smaller dart points. Prey had also changed with the drying climate to pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and elk.
Arow Points -- 1,500 years ago - 1870’s
Point size continued to shrink as the bow and arrow came into use around 1,500 years ago. Bows allowed ancient hunters to shoot arrows much farther and faster than the human arm could throw. By this time, the landscape resembled what you see today.
Sources of Stone
Many points were flaked out of obsidian, volcanic glass with unique chemical signatures allowing archeologists to identify the stone’s source. Points discovered far from their sources suggest stories of seasonal migration or trade networks.
Saving These Stories for the Future
An important part of a stone point’s story is the context in which it is found. Remove the point from its setting and much of the story is lost forever. If you find a stone point in your travels, please take a photo and leave it where it is.
Visit Instructions:
Include your thoughts and observations pertaining to this location and your visit. Provide any additional history that you are aware of that pertains to this location. If the marker commemorates a historic building tell us what it is used for now or share with us the circumstances of an earlier visit to bring this locations history to life.
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