Nearly all the artifacts used by prehistoric peoples of the Southwest have been carefully considered, their use determined, in many cases reproduced, and the duplicates found serviceable for the purpose indicated. Replicas of stone axes, textiles, and pottery have been made by ancient methods. There is one exception, however. The tools of the bow and arrow maker have been taken more or less for granted, and after being named by somebody, simply left that way. The projectile point is the only such artifact that has been copied and used.

Having had long experience in the making and shooting of bows and arrows. I am naturally interested in all archaeological finds of that nature. More than that, these finds have been more or less of a challenge. Just how would a workman used to modern tools and machines proceed with only stone and bone as adjuncts to arrow making? The careful observations of Doctor Saxton Pope (1923) from his association with the Yahi Indian, Ishi, were of some help, as were my own rather scanty mental notes on Pima, Apache, and Papago workmen of modern times.