ANCIENT PUEBLOS OF UPPER GILA REGION. 



19 



aid the hand grasp. (Fig. 20; Cat. No. 246509, U.S.N.M; length, 4^ 

 inches ; width, 3^ inches ; thickness, 2 inches. ) 



ARROWHEADS, THROWSTICKS, AND DARTS. 



The arrowheads of this region are almost exclusively of obsidian 

 which varies from an opaque black to translucent, almost as clear as 

 rock crystal. They are small, usually nocked, and sometimes serrated. 

 Such heads as have been found still 

 remaining on the arrows are small, 

 and this appears to be characteristic 

 of those arrows intended for war or 

 for hunting. (See fig. 142.) Some 

 rather long, slender arrowpoints 

 appear to have been fashioned for use 

 as offerings. As a rule the arrow- 

 heads do not show great skill in their 

 manufacture, but occasionally an ex- 

 quisitely chipped one is encountered. 



The points for the throwstick darts 

 appear to be extremely scarce, so far 

 as can be determined, and there is a 

 likelihood that they never were very 

 plentiful. (See fig. 21.) 



No throwsticks were found by the 

 Museum-Gates Expedition, nor is it 

 known that any have been found in 

 this region. The only evidence that 

 such an implement was used is a few 

 foreshafts of darts of the kind hurled 

 by means of the throwstick. ( See fig. 

 21. ) The shapes of some of the worked 

 rods appear to suggest the throwstick 

 (see pi. 20, fig. 2), but it is not pos- 

 sible to reach a definite conclusion 

 on the subject. Also the articulating 

 ends of bones (see fig. 136) may be bunt heads of throwdarts. 



Mr. John R. De Mier, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, found in guano 

 caves 9 miles east of Lava, New Mexico (on the Albuquerque-El 

 Paso branch of the Santa Fe route), a number of interesting objects 

 which he forwarded to the National Museum. The collection con- 

 tains a throwing stick (fig. 21) consisting of a slat of oak, 25 J 

 inches long and 1^ inches wide, warped strongly and grooved on 

 both sides at intervals along the middle line, the ends of the stick 



Fig. 21. — Throwstick, darts, 

 knives, axd punch from near 

 Lata, New Mexico. 



