The Tip Cross-sectional Area (TCSA) Method Strengthened and Constrained with Ethno-historical Material from Sub-Saharan Africa

Work on large samples of southern African archaeological lithics, probably used to tip hunting weapons amongst other things, and ethno-historical bone iron weapon tips known use exposed limitations in the cross-sectional area (TCSA) method’s robustness for hypothesising about variation ancient weapon-delivery systems. Here, we list some discuss a few recently published improvements ranges data presentation. Our main contribution is meaningful enlargement datasets obtained from hafted and/or mostly sub-Saharan Africa. We briefly why this region relevant studying trends evolution development weapons. new are strengthen constrain different TCSA as proxies poisoned arrow tips, un-poisoned javelin stabbing-spear suggest working range thrusting-spear tips. demonstrate that calibrated have robust statistical integrity systems they represent. Apart dart-tip category, method has now been improved accommodate more nuanced accurate interpretations, while further strengthening hypothesis building