Relating Thick-Bodied Points to Old-Clovis Points

John Garrett

9/30/10

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These slides are part of ongoing investigation on the technologies, relationships, and sequences of the earliest projectile point forms in western North America. The purpose is to examine known technological forms that could possibly be ancestral to Clovis.

Given the theory that the human populations in North America that developed the Clovis point and other PaleoIndian lithics came from the northwest via Beringia, it stands to reason there should be more similarities between the earliest far-western US point forms and whatever immediately preceded, and possibly led to, Clovis, than in other regions.

The following is an attempt to explore these possible relationships. It is based principally on outer dimensions for width and thickness as well as outline shape. The comparison of different early point styles from the western US to each other as well as the Alaskan Mesa and Sluiceway point styles is key. The western point examples used include Haskett and Clovis, or Clovis-like, from the Great Basin and one Clovis-like point from Blackwater Draw, New Mexico. 2

The theory as it stands is based on the following premises:1.Clovis evolved from “thick body” point styles.2.The early thick body point styles include Mesa, Haskett, Agate Basin, and likely El Jobo.3.Some thick body point styles persisted on after Clovis.4.There are two distinct Clovis styles – one early (thick) and one late (thin.)5.Many early, or thick, Clovis points are actually concavely rebased Haskett or Agate Basin points.6.Haskett points from the far west and northwest are separate and distinct from other western stemmed points such as Lake Mojave.7.Clovis points form the far west and northwest are separate and distinct from the Blackrock Concave Base series.

What is clear is that remarkable similarities exist between Haskett, Agate Basin, Mesa, and some Clovis point forms from the Great Basin as well as at least one Blackwater Draw “Clovis” point.

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This analysis represents the beginning of an attempt to understand a possible scenario and investigate possible theories. It is preliminary and subject to significant changes as more becomes understood.

Nomenclature used for the artifacts depicted on the following slides include convex-base Haskett points (CVX) from the southern and central Great Basin, one point from Blackwater Draw (BWD,) one Mesa point, and three Clovis-like points (CL) from the southern and central Great Basin. The term Clovis-like is intentional to avoid the confusion commonly encountered in identifying western Clovis points due to variability which this analysis hopefully begins to address.The Blackwater Draw and Mesa points depicted are photos of plastic casts.

The starting point in these slides is to compare and contrast point forms that have roughly the same W/T ratios to investigate other similarities. Statistical distributions of values is found elsewhere.

The slides contain many animations. Using the space bar, mouse click, or up/down arrows (slowly) progress through the slides and animations.

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CL-003L = 54.1 mmW = 27.4 mmT = 7.9 mmW/T = 3.48

CVX-eoL= 177 mmW = 35 mmT = 11 mmW/T = 3.18

CL-005W = 29.2 mmT = 8.6 mmW/T = 3.38

BWDL = 51.5 mmW = 23.2 mmT = 7.6 mmW/T = 3.05

MesaL = 67.0 mmW = 25.4 mmT = 8.9 mmW/T = 2.85

CL-001L= 44.2 mmW = 20.8 mmT = 6.6 mmW/T = 3.15

CVX-021W = 27.9 mmT = 9.4 mmW/T = 2.97

CVX-022W = 24.4 mmT = 8.1 mmW/T = 3.00

All points on these slides are depicted at true relative scale unless marked otherwise

CVX-068L= 78.7 mmW = 20.0 mmT = 8.4 mmW/T = 2.39

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CL-003L = 54.1 mmW = 27.4 mmT = 7.9 mmW/T = 3.48

CVX-eoL= 177 mmW = 35 mmT = 11 mmW/T = 3.18

Widest Point of Haskett – 35 mm

Approx 27.4 mm

Not a perfect fit-Possibly an unrelated “Late Clovis” point??

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The sequences on slides 6 and 7 compare a very large Haskett point that was recovered in two pieces to a complete Clovis point that was almost certainly refurbished from a much larger point.

Also possibleThis Clovis point shows slight hint of diagonal Outré Passé flaking though – Not typical for Haskett

If the Clovis was the same width as the Haskett

Better, but the dimensions still aren’t perfect

CVX-eoL= 177 mmW = 35 mmT = 11 mmW/T = 3.18

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Close fit at an expected location

CL-005 was XRF-sourced to the Coso Volcanic Field, CADec, 2009

Possible

CVX-eoL= 177 mmW = 35 mmT = 11 mmW/T = 3.18

CL-005W = 29.2 mmT = 8.6 mmW/T = 3.38

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Slide 8 compares the same Haskett point to a proximal end of a “Thick” Clovis-like point.The points are shown with a true relative scale.The W/T ratios are very close.

Approx 20.8 mm

Approx 20.8 mm

Maybe…

CVX-eoL= 177 mmW = 35 mmT = 11 mmW/T = 3.18

CL-001L= 44.2 mmW = 20.8 mmT = 6.6 mmW/T = 3.15

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Slide 9 compares another Thick Clovis-like point with the large Haskett. The two have virtually identical W/T ratios. This point is possibly a refurbished proximal base that was “turned around.”

The Great Basin thinned point has similarities to Alaskan Mesa Points and fits nicely with the Hasketts

CVX-021W/T=2.97

CVX-022W/T=3.00

CVX-021 was XRF-sourced to Obsidian Butte, NVDec, 2009

CVX-022 was was XRF-sourced to Tempiute Mtn, NV Dec, 2009

MesaW/T=2.85

CL-005W/T=3.38

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Slide 10 compares two Haskett bases with a thick Clovis-like base and the Mesa point

They both appear to be heavily reworked

but from opposite ends

Or,…They were both worked from the same end but in

opposite directions

CL-001W/T=3.15

BWDW/T=3.05

CVX-021W/T=2.97

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Slide 11 compares the Blackwater Draw point with a Thick Clovis and a large Haskett base

CVX-021W/T=2.97

Slide 12 explores similarities between the Blackwater Draw point (red) and the other Great Basin and Alaskan points

CVX-068W/T=2.39

W/T=3.05

W/T=2.85W/T=3.18

W/T=2.97W/T=3.0012

They both appear to be derived from the same form

CVX-068 was was XRF-sourced to Saline Range #1, CADec, 2009

Alaska Mesa/Sluiceway Point

Nevada Haskett Points

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Slide 13 shows similarities between the Mesa point and two Haskett points of different overall size

W/T=2.39

W/T=2.85

W/T=3.00

Slide 14 shows the wide range in size Hasketts come in

Actual Size

Actual Size14

Slide 15 shows similar Breakpoints of the artifacts

All Three were broken at the Same Place

Due to similar hafting methods or sockets??15