The typology of projectile points that have been distributed throughout Texas aides many archaeologists in the analyzation of the cultural prehistory of certain regions of Texas. Once archaeologists determine the geographical context and temporary distribution of certain types of projectile points, they can use the information to ascertain the time period from which the points belong. Archaeological experts are still rather unclear on why ancient Indian tribes changed the shape of projectile points over time. Many base their theories on the production of new and various types of weapons, such as hafted knives (see image on right), and fluctuations in the types of animals hunted. These evolutions in style prove conducive, however, as they "provide invaluable indicators of the chronology of culture change in different regions of Texas"(Turner and Hester, 1985:10).

Various types of projectile points can be categorized into two major groups: dart points and arrow points. Dart points are generally large and thick, and are usually found on the tips of spears, which were used with a spearthrower, or atlatl. The points often tipped the spears by a method called hafting, which allowed the indians to wound or kill their prey at a reasonably safe distance. Dart points, spears, and spearthrowers are the prime constituents of the prehistoric Texas Indians' weapon kit from around 9200 B.C. through the earliest centuries of the Christian era. Introduced around A.D.700-1000, around the time of the bow and arrow, were arrow points--small, thin, finely chipped artifacts that tipped arrows and served in killing anything from birds to buffalos, and even other humans.

Generally, there exists two ways to determine the age of projectile point artifacts: absolute dating and relative dating. The most widely used method in regards to absolute dating is radiocarbon dating, which can be used only on the organic remains of archaeological sites. One date obtained in this manner has little or no significance; in this case, archaeologists must recover a series of dates in order to determine the age of a complete cultural level. Relative dating provides archaeologists with an approximate age based on the vertical context of archaeological artifacts. Stratigraphy is the primary source for relative dating. By looking at layered deposits, it is ideal to assume that the lowest or deepest layers are the oldest, then the middle layer, etc.