BARNES FLUTED POINTS
Early Paleo-Indian: 10,000 to 9,500
BP
DESCRIPTION: The Barnes points range in size from 35
to 105 mm in length, 15 to 25 mm in width, and 3.5 to 8 mm in
thickness. Basal width is 14 to 20 mm and concavity depth ranges
from 2 to 6 mm. Most points have "fishtail" bases, and
tend to be narrow and thick with biconvex or lenticular cross
sections. These points display well executed parallel-collateral
flaking terminating along the mid-line on each face. The ridge
formed by these terminations was used as a guide for the long
(up to 80 mm) parallel sides flutes. There are never more than
two flutes to a face. The base of the flute is often widened and
thinned by the subsequent removal of a single, short, broad flake
(the "Barnes" finishing technique: see Roosa 1965).
Lateral basal edges and basal concavities are lightly ground.
DISTRIBUTION:
Barnes points are diagnostic of the Parkhill industry or complex
which occurs in southern Ontario, eastern Michigan, northern Ohio
and western New York state.
RAW MATERIAL: In north southwestern to south central Ontario,
most points are made from Fossil Hill chert, while in more southerly
areas of Ontario the more common choice was Onondaga chert. In
eastern Michigan most points were made from Bayport chert, while
those in northern Ohio tend to be made from Tenmile Creek chert.
AGE AND CULTURE: No Carbon-14 dates are available for Barnes
points but they reflect a dating of from 10,700 to 10,600.
REFERENCES: London Chapter, Ontario Archaeological Society.
B. Deller and C. Ellis, 1984 Barnes Fluted Points. KEWA 84-6.
Justice, 1995, pp. 25-26. Overstreet, 2003, pp. 113-115.