Spear point discovery helps tell story of prehistoric Ohioans

COLUMBUS (AP) — Researchers say a broken spear point found in eastern Ohio offers new clues about the behavior of the state’s prehistoric people.

A volunteer working with Ashland University geologist Nigel Brush dug up the piece of weaponry last month beneath a rock overhang in Coshocton County.

Brush says it offers proof that ice age mastodon hunters in Ohio made use of the rock shelters found around the state.

The spear point is what experts call a fluted point, meaning it has defining flutes, or vertical grooves, at its base. That dates it as being much older than most arrowheads and spear points discovered in Ohio.

Ohio Historical Society archaeologist Bradley Lepper estimates the discovery was left behind by people 11,000 years ago.