Paleo Indians were hunter gatherers. Later Indians gradually became more settled, eventually transitiioning to a more agrarian, community based existence. I never said anything about an Indian building a collection. By "presentation grade", I was referring to a special piece made as a gift to someone of great importance in a family or tribe, not for personal use as part of a weapon. Also, if I was making an atlatl as a gift, I wouldn't put a finely shaped stone on a "plain atlatl", but would make the handle and hook that reflected the same attention to detail that the stone did. The diameter of the hole would be of little concern if the atlatl was never expected to be used in hunting. I also believe that some of the large, ornate banners were used as just that, banners, a staff with a stone, feathers, and maybe a large spear to be used in special occasions and ceremonies. I don't doubt that there were hard times and prosperous times, a lot like modern times, but if our Indians were constantly on the verge of extinction, I doubt that we would be enjoying the fine banners, discoidals, fluted axes and finely carved pipes the Sunny Side has been kind enough to share with us.
