Pfeilkopf

Pfeilkopf is the German term for the pointed tip fixed to the front of an arrow. An arrowhead is the projectile point designed to penetrate targets by concentrating force on a small area, and it has been produced in many materials and shapes across different cultures and time periods.

Traditional arrowheads are made by flintknapping or percussion shaping of stones such as flint, chert, or obsidian, creating a sharp point and a base or tang for hafting. In later periods, metal points forged from bronze, iron, or steel were manufactured, sometimes cast or shaped by ordinary metalworking techniques. Attachment to the shaft is accomplished by hafting: the point may have a tang, stem, or socket that fits into the shaft and is secured with sinew, plant fibre, or modern adhesive.

Shapes and types include leaf-shaped or broad points, triangular points, and stemmed or tanged forms. Some arrowheads are barbed or designed for specific game or hunting conditions. The construction often reflects whether the point is intended for short- or long-range use, and whether it is mounted on a simple wooden shaft or on more complex assemblies.

Historically, arrowheads appear in many regions from the late Stone Age through the Bronze and Iron Ages and into modern times. They provide information about technology, trade, and cultural practices and are common finds in archaeological contexts, sometimes accompanying burials or settlements.

Today, arrowheads are still produced for sport and hunting, as well as collected as artefacts. Reproductions and ceremonial variants are common in museums and educational settings.