Clovis

Clovis points are the earliest recognizable evidence of people in the Chicago region and date to circa 13,000-12,000 BCE. They are lancolate in outline, with parallel sided to slightly excurvate lateral margins have a concave base and are generally very well-made. However their most distinctive attribute is the presence of “flutes” or channel flakes removed from the base on each face of the point. Grinding is also present along the lower margins of the point extending as far as the fluting, and is thought to aid in hafting by dulling the edges of the spear where it was tied into a spear or foreshaft. Points were often broken and reworked or reduced greatly in size by resharpening. They have been found all over Illinois including Cook County and are often made on chert from far flung regions, often from hundreds of miles away. These early people travelled far over the course of a year as they hunted large game, likely pursuing herds of Caribou who moved along ancient north-south migratory pathways during seasonal movements.