7 Identifying Characteristics of Clovis Arrowheads PDF Print E-mail

About fourteen thousand years ago, the Native American Indian tribes settled in the Northern part of USA. Most of them did not like farming and lived as nomadic hunters and foragers. They inhabited most of the areas near the riverbeds where they had the constant supply of water and food. From the simple way of life, they developed their craftsmanship. They created various tools and weaponry. An example for this is the most admired arrowheads. These Ancient arrowheads were important to their daily means of survival. They used them in hunting for food, in big games, and in warfare.

Arrowheads also known as projectile points are in various types. They are classified according to their form, materials used, and type of points. One point type is the Clovis arrowhead. Clovis arrowheads are said to be the oldest among all.  It is named after its discovery site at the town of Clovis in New Mexico in 1932.

How can one distinguish Clovis arrowheads from other types of Indian arrowheads? This task can be difficult for collectors especially if they are not experts because Clovis arrowheads can be similar to Folsom and Dalton point types. Even so, I will enumerate the identifying characteristics of Clovis arrowheads to make the task easier for you.

  1. Clovis arrowheads are generally the largest when compared to Folsom and Dalton type of points.

  2. Clovis arrowheads are fluted (leaf like furrows in the central part of the base). Folsom and Dalton also contains flutes but with Clovis, the flutes are extended from the base up to about one third to halfway of the entire point.  Folsom’s flutes are wide and extended from the tip to the base while Dalton’s are shallow and have shorter flutes.

  3. Clovis arrowheads are approximately 1-6 inches long and 3-4 centimeters wide.

  4. Clovis arrowheads have concave base and convex sides.

  6. Clovis arrowheads are usually crafted out of stone or chert.

  7. Clovis arrowheads have typical slender blades and have parallel curved edges.


With the above mentioned identifying characteristics, I hope you can now effortlessly distinguish Clovis arrowheads from other types of arrowheads. Continue to collect, classify, and be delighted with your Indian arrowheads!