BIFURCATES

wells · Feb 1, 2014

Here is about half of the bifurcated points i've found over the years.

redbeardrelics · Feb 2, 2014

Awesome collection of bifurcates Wells ! All the different styles and materials are represented there. Have you or anyone else ever heard a good or plausible reason for the bifurcations? I assume that perhaps these points were hafted onto a wood/bone shaft or handle that had a small protruding point or tit on it, and that the bifurcation fit over it, maybe allowing the hafting to be stronger in resisting side forces ? Has anybody read any wear and use analyses about bifurcates being confirmed to have been knives, or projectile points, or something else? It seems to me that most bifurcates ended up with tip breakage, and were then discarded or reworked again down to almost nothing left, you have several nice examples of heavily re-sharpened bifurcates represented here. It is also interesting to me that the bifurcates and the point styles that came just before them seem to be the most prevalent for heavy serrations, I wonder if this had anything to do with processing of plant materials that some say became an emphasis during the bifurcate time period. Thanks for showing

painterx7 · Feb 2, 2014

The one in the middle of second pic is killer !!!! Nice frames!!!

wells · Feb 2, 2014

redbeardrelics said:
Awesome collection of bifurcates Wells ! All the different styles and materials are represented there. Have you or anyone else ever heard a good or plausible reason for the bifurcations? I assume that perhaps these points were hafted onto a wood/bone shaft or handle that had a small protruding point or tit on it, and that the bifurcation fit over it, maybe allowing the hafting to be stronger in resisting side forces ? Has anybody read any wear and use analyses about bifurcates being confirmed to have been knives, or projectile points, or something else? It seems to me that most bifurcates ended up with tip breakage, and were then discarded or reworked again down to almost nothing left, you have several nice examples of heavily re-sharpened bifurcates represented here. It is also interesting to me that the bifurcates and the point styles that came just before them seem to be the most prevalent for heavy serrations, I wonder if this had anything to do with processing of plant materials that some say became an emphasis during the bifurcate time period. Thanks for showing

I ask those same questions and dont have any answers. I .look at them and say "why". They really are unique and very cool. I find a lot of their sites on hill tops, as a matter of fact just about every hill field in our valley produces them.

rock · Feb 2, 2014

Wow nice collection wells!

fishstick · Feb 2, 2014

Broke or not those are SUPER lookin frames bud!!!! I like the flakin on BIFUR's, so simple yet so different.. NO expert but just how they are reworked suggests knifes.. HH..

Flea-bit Monkey · Feb 2, 2014

"So I think I will go out and pick up a pocket full Bifurcates today." I wish.
Those are so cool. Seeing so many together is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

monsterrack · Feb 2, 2014

JMO I will say 2 reason's 1st it was a certain type like a calling card for that time period or clan. 2nd the groove in the bottom when hafted, hafting glue or what ever they used would harden inside the groove making a much stronger bond.