SUSQUEHANNA BROAD POINTS
Late Archaic: 5,000 to 3,000 BP
DESCRIPTION: Susquehanna Broad points range in size
from 40 to 200 mm in length, but averaging about 65mm long. They
are 25 to 50 mm in width, and 4 to 10 mm in thickness. This is
a broad, boldly flaked spearpoint of roughly semi-lozenge to roughly
corner notched shape, with certain characteristic contour details.
Generally half as broad as long, or less, but rarely narrow.
The blade is triangular, usually with slightly convex to straight
edged lateral edges. Frequently not symmetrical, but with relatively
flat cross section, and always with thin, sharp shoulders. Retouching
of the edges for final contouring was often done from one side
only. The stem is always constricted and usually with a concave
base. The stem displays prominent ears which are generally acute
and prominent. The basal edges are generally ground smooth. Many
of the smaller points may have served as dart points or knives.
DISTRIBUTION: Southeastern Ontario, the Susquehanna Valley
in Pennsylvania and New York and its principal tributaries. The
Finger Lakes region, the Seneca River and its affluent sources,
including Oneida Lake.
RAW MATERIAL: In Pennsylvania the majority of these points
are made from purplish ryolite from outcrops near Gettysburg.
However, the majority of the New York and southern Ontario examples
are on local cherts like Onondaga.
AGE AND CULTURE: These are from the Transitional period
linking Late Archaic and Early Woodland periods. Probably between
approximately 1,200 and 700 B.C. They are found in poorly known
and widely spread steatite or soapstone bowl-using culture which
has a very limited associated complex of chipped drills and scrapers.
REFERENCES: Ritchie, 1961. pp. 53-54. 110-111. Waldorf,
1987. pp. 170-172. Justice, 1995, 167-169. Justice, 1995, pp.
167-169. Overstreet, 2003. pp. 176-177.