An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c24.s3.12

v1.c24.s3.12

Bone arrowheads (Dwivedi, 1976) have basically been divided into two types: (i) bipointed (narrow lozenge-shaped), and (ii) tanged-pointed. On the basis of the cross-section of the body and the blade portion, these two have been further subdivided into: (i) circular, (ii) square, (iii) lenticular, (iv) planoconvex, (v) biconvex, and (vi) irregular (Gupta, 1961, pp. 136-7). The first type seems to be a multipurpose implement, used as tools for piercing holes in leather and other tough things. These might as well have been used as styli [20.5] for scratching letters or designs on pottery or terracotta figurines. Sankalia calls them bone points and believes that many of them might have been used as weaving needles, combs or even ornaments. Their use as arrowheads is however not in doubt. A specimen from UJJAIN had stains of blood of a bird on it. Probably the large number in which they were manufactured shows their use more as arrowheads than as styli.