Clovis point

stone tool

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

Clovis points Points exhibiting the characteristic channels, or flutes, that extend from mid-blade to the base of the implement of the Clovis complex.

The Clovis complex was a widespread ancient culture in North America, named after a site near Clovis, New Mexico. It is generally believed to have existed from approximately 9050 to 8800 BCE. The Clovis people were hunter-gatherers who primarily hunted Pleistocene megafauna, such as mammoths.1

A key artifact associated with this culture is the Clovis point, a leaf-shaped stone tool with a concave base. These points, typically ranging from 1.5 to 5 inches in length, were fluted, meaning longitudinal flakes were removed from the base of each face. This design likely helped secure the point to a spear handle. The Clovis complex is considered ancestral to the Folsom complex.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Clovis complex
The typical Clovis point is leaf-shaped, with parallel or slightly convex sides and a concave base. The edges of the basal portions are ground somewhat, probably to prevent the edge from severing the hafting cord. Clovis points range in length from 1.5 to 5 inches (4 to…
Read More
The typical Clovis point is leaf-shaped, with parallel or slightly convex sides and a concave base. The edges of the basal portions are ground somewhat, probably to prevent the edge from severing the hafting cord. Clovis points range in length from 1.5 to 5 inches (4 to…
Read More

Indigenous peoples of the Americas
Early cultural development
…Paleo-Indian artifact types is the Clovis point, the first of which was discovered on a kill site near what is now Clovis, New Mexico. Clovis points are lance-shaped, partially fluted, and used for killing mammoths and other very large game (see Clovis complex).
Read More
…Paleo-Indian artifact types is the Clovis point, the first of which was discovered on a kill site near what is now Clovis, New Mexico. Clovis points are lance-shaped, partially fluted, and used for killing mammoths and other very large game (see Clovis complex).
Read More