No evidence of bowhunting in Magdalenian antler points: Comment on Langley and Lombard (2025)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: • Dimensions and mass of Magdalenian antler points do not support bow use. • Small antler points can be hafted to long and heavy projectile shafts. • Hypothesizing about weapon system requires contextual and traceological evidence. In the study of prehistoric projectile points, the tip cross-sectional area method (TCSA) is often used to hypothesize about projectile delivery mode. In a recent article, Langley and Lombard applied this method, combined with point mass, to Magdalenian antler points from southwest France. Their results suggest the likelihood of bowhunting at some sites, and one point subtype, the Lussac-Angles point, is particularly highlighted as possible arrow tip because of its low TCSA and mass. However, the methods used in this study underestimate TCSA and mass, particularly when composite weapon tips are considered. Experimental evidence shows that Lussac-Angles points can be used with the spearthrower, and there is also archeological and experimental evidence of use with the spearthrower for fork-based points, another type of Magdalenian antler point that has a TCSA similar to the Lussac-Angles points. These findings refute the evidence of bowhunting in Magdalenian antler points and offer another example of the problems raised by the use of the TCSA method to reconstruct past weapon systems..
Authors: Jean-Marc Pétillon, Eugénie Gauvrit Roux
Language: English
Subfield: Anthropology
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,910
OpenAlex ID: W7125546973