Projectile point fragments can represent a significant percentage or even exceed the number of diagnostic specimens recovered at a given site (Aikens 1970:34; Ames et al. 1981:79; Plew 1981:146). This paper is an effort to contribute to our ability to obtain useful information from projectile point fragments. Specifically, we attempt to present a means of determining causes of projectile point damage and particularly to differentiate use-related breakage from manufacturing-induced breakage. This determination may ultimately offer additional data relative to site function, identification of task-specific loci within sites, and other avenues of inquiry. Toward that end, we propose descriptive terminology and present data from an experimental study involving the manufacture, use, and breakage of a specific Great Basin projectile point type.

It is herein proposed that there is an alternative explanation for the intentional dulling of tool margins. Experimental replication offers insights into the methods used to dull tool margins, and breakage pattern analysis suggests dulled margins may have served to strengthen the basal portion of stone projectiles, thus preventing breakage of the projectile within the wood or bone foreshaft.