Protection was a big reason why Indians made spear tips.
Indian spear tips are large, sharp tips that were attached to the end of a stick to make a spear. These spears were used by American Indians and are found all over the United States. Much of what we know about these native cultures is gleaned from spear tips and other weapon artifacts.
Uses
Spear tips were attached to the end of sticks for use as a weapon. The two primary uses of these weapons was for hunting and protection. The protection was from other Indians trying to steal valuable food or other supplies. The long shaft allowed them to stab the enemy without getting too close, which would put them in a vulnerable position. They also needed protection against wild animals who may steal food. Lastly, they needed the spears for hunting and fishing. The spear was the primary hunting tool until the bow and arrow were invented. It therefore played a huge role in the lives of Native Americans, who were dependent on wild game for survival.
How They are Named
Each type of spear tip has a name, and they are generally named according to the area in which they are found. Fore example, the famous Clovis tips are so named because they were found in and around Clovis, New Mexico. There are some cases, though, where more than one type of spear tip was found in the same area. When this occurs, the new tip's name comes from a nearby landmark or feature of the land. For example, the Lost Lake tips are so named because they were found near Lost Lake in Tennessee.
Materials
The type of materials used to make spear points vary widely depending on how old they are. Some of the oldest spear points go back more than 12,000 years and were made of flint, obsidian, and even copper. The shaft of the spear was made of wood. In some cases, leather and feathers were attached to the shaft, though these particular spears were for ornamental or ceremonial purposes only. Because the metals used for the tips were sometimes rare, Indians sometimes traveled up to 200 miles to find it. If a tip broke or chipped, it was usually re-purposed into another item because the metal was so hard to find, and therefore couldn't be wasted.
Spear Tips vs. Arrowheads
The term "arrowhead" has become an all-encompassing name to refer to spear tips, arrow tips and even small knife artifacts. Technically, a spear tip is similar but not the same as an arrowhead because arrowheads are smaller and more aerodynamic than the larger spear tips. Generally speaking though, "arrowhead" is the accepted name for all such instruments. Scientists actually call all of these implements "projectile point/knives" or PPKs.
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