When I was a kid in the 1970’s I read a book about a stone age man who was the flint tool and weapon maker for his tribe. For some reason he and his woman were banished from the tribe and they had to survive on their own. Eventually he invents the bow and arrow and uses it to defend his cave from another tribe. One thing I remember is the ritual they used to determine whether a new flint spearpoint was “good”. They captured a bird and then set it free and if the bird flew straight away, it meant the spearpoint was good; but if the bird flew around in circles, it meant the spearpoint was bad. Does anyone remember the name of this book?
Maybe Hok Draws the Bow by Manly Wade Wellman?
I read a similar prehistoric book, but not quite the same. No ritual. The guy was banished from his tribe though. I remember he accidentally discovered how to preserve meat by smoking it.
Possibly Fire-Hunter, by Jim Kjelgaard?
You just beat me to it.
Here’s a link
"Fire-Hunter is the story of Hawk, a pre-historic man who is banished from his tribe for breaking the tribal law by inventing a spear-launching tool. He is left behind with Willow, an injured young woman abandoned by the tribe because of her inability to travel in the nomadic lifestyle they employ.
Fire-Hunter is it. Thanks a lot guys.
I called my sister who I think has a copy and that indeed is the one I read too.