Final answer:
The Paleoindians hunted megafauna using spears, and later the atlatl, to throw spears with greater force and distance. They also employed knapped stone tools, including Clovis points, for hunting and butchering game.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Paleoindians used sophisticated tools and techniques to hunt megafauna during the Paleo-Indian period. Initially, they utilized spears as thrusting weapons to hunt large creatures such as mammoths, mastodons, and giant bison, which proved to be a dangerous endeavor. As they evolved, these early humans developed the atlatl, or spear thrower, a crucial piece of technology for the late Paleo-Indian toolkit, which allowed hunters to increase the speed and distance of their spear casts significantly. Knapped stone tools like scrapers, knives, and Clovis points were also part of their arsenal. These tools were instrumental in ensuring their survival and the ability to migrate and spread across the Americas.
Archaeologists have found evidence of large-game hunts, including those where bands of Paleoindians drove herds over cliffs, and settlements with access to freshwater, hunting and fishing resources, as well as stone for tool-making. These findings attest to the Paleoindians' adaptive strategies and complex social structures, enabling them to thrive in diverse environments across the Western hemisphere.