The Organization of Chipped-Stone Economies at Piedras Negras ...

These small bifaces are rare and probably were produced as projectile points,
perhaps as small spear or dart points. These points overlap with the so-called tapered
stem points (e.g., Willey 1972:163), and at times have somewhat straight margins on the
distal end, instead of the true “tear drop,” or celtiform outline described for medium-sized
examples. These points are often made of fine-grained materials, and are nicely pressure-
flaked. The tapering of the biface may be a result of consumer modification to fit a
particular haft. They also are commonly resharpened, and like most bifaces at Piedras
Negras, they are often used as knives at some point before they enter the archaeological
record.
5.4.1.3.2: Small notched celtiform biface (see Figure 5.2 #23). No examples of this form
were found at Piedras Negras, and it usually is a marker for the Postclassic period (see
bifaces from Chichén Itzá in Kidder 1947:9; and Sheets 1991:175). It usually is thin and
could be used as an atlatl dart point. Somewhat larger versions were found at Late Classic
Uaxactun (Kidder 1947:fig 65, b1), but these are thicker and are not common anywhere
in the lowlands.
5.4.1.3.3: Small notched celtiform uniface (see Figure 5.2 #24). This type was made by
notching a small, biface-thinning flake. The tip was bifacially worked with a small
pressure-flaking device. It usually is well below 8 cm in length.
The only example of this point is quite small, and probably was used as an arrow
point. This uniface is more accurately described as a worked, or retouched flake, but may,
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