Barbed points of the Upper Volga region in the mesolithic

The widely used term “barbed points” covers various types of points used ashunting tools. Arrow, spear (fish spear) and lance points are of special interest. Use-wearanalysis of these tools recovered from the Mesolithic strata of the peat-bog sites in the Upper Volga Region has demonstrated that they were used to hunt both terrestrial animalsand large fish in shallow water and, probably, amphibious animals (beaver, otter). Most ofthe points examined were separately attached to the shaft and could be used both in terrestrial or water hunting depending on the situation. Rarely found points of composite leisterscan be categorized as specialized fishing tools. Diversity and great quantities of denticulated points along with other hunting and fishing points and faunal residues demonstratethat the Mesolithic population inhabiting the Upper Volga region attained a high level offishing and hunting economy and successfully adapted to the natural environment.