SAUGEEN POINTS
Middle Woodland: 2,400 to 1,500 BP
DESCRIPTION: Saugeen points typically range in size
from 40 to 60 mm in length, 20 to 30 mm in width, and 7 to 10
mm in thickness. Basal width is 15 to 22 mm. These points are
usually made from trianguloid preforms which may have either convex
or straight bases. The hafting modification varies from side notched
to expanding stem. In cross section the points may be biconvex
(lenticular) but are often bitriangular (diamond shaped) especially
in reworked specimens. Saugeen points tend to be coarsely made,
with irregular flake scars and hinge fractures. In outline the
points are frequently assymetrical, but the thickness to width
ratio is quite high.
DISTRIBUTION: In southwestern Ontario these points are
quite common in the Lake Huron drainage, especially the Saugeen,
Maitland and Ausable rivers, and south to the Lake Erie shoreline.
RAW MATERIAL: Local cherts tend to be preferred. In the
Lake Huron drainage, Kettle Point (Port Franks) chert is most
common, but in the Lake Erie drainage Onondaga chert is dominant.
AGE AND CULTURE: This type is the characteristic point
form of the Middle Woodland Saugeen culture. They likely date
to somewhere between about 500 B.C. and 500 A.D. with most of
them falling in the latter part of this time frame. Related point
types are found in other Middle Woodland cultures in the central
Great Lakes and Mississippi drainages.
REFERENCES: London Chapter, Ontario Archaeological Society.
I. Kenyon, 1979 Saugeen Points. KEWA 79-9..