Title

Archaeological Artifacts

Creation Date

500 – 1860

Description

Arrowhead found during the 2017-2018 Pope County Archaeological Survey.
The projectile point is a small triangular form with weak side notches, typical of the Late Prehistoric period; no specific type name is proposed. The length is 15 mm, width 13 mm, and maximum thickness 4 mm. The tip is sharp, the sides slightly concave, and the base slightly concave. The blade is somewhat asymmetrical, with the tip offset from the center line established with reference to the base. The greatest width is at the base. The cross section is symmetrical both side to side and tip to base, and the greatest thickness is mid-blade. As noted, the side notches are weak. One notch is shallow and was made by removing flakes from both faces. The other is barely perceptible, and appears to have been made by a single flake removal from one face. The basal edge is rounded, either by deliberate grinding or from haft wear. The point offers some information on the age of the site.
Small triangular points like this are thought to be arrow points, although most of these are not notched. We do not know exactly when bow and arrow use began in the region, but an analysis by Blitz (1988) suggests it would have been after AD 500 and possibly closer to AD 600. If this is an arrow point, it suggests that the site dates no earlier that ca. AD 500 to 600. This estimate is subject to revision, however, based on new evidence or on a reconsideration of the analysis of the point.