NANTICOKE TRIANGULAR POINTS
Late Woodland: 500 to 350 BP
DESCRIPTION: Nanticoke Triangular points range in size
from 27 to 53 mm in length, 11 to 22 mm in width, and 3 to 7 mm
in thickness. The majority are between 30 and 45 mm in length.
The blade edge configuration is slightly convex, but can vary
to straight or concave, while the base is usually concave. Convex
bases do occur though. Irregular complete bifacial flaking characterizes
the majority of these points; however, some examples display total
secondary retouch over one face and only edge retouch on the other.
DISTRIBUTION: These triangular points are found from Kent
County in the west to east of Toronto and north into Sincoe County.
RAW MATERIAL: Onondaga chert was the favoured material
for their production, but some Kettle Point and Selkirk specimens
have been recorded.
AGE AND CULTURE: Nanticoke Triangular points were in use
among the prehistoric Neutral and Huron groups between 1400 and
1600 A.D. As with the Nanticoke Notched form, most were manufactured
by Neutral knappers. However, some appear to have been produced
from Onondaga chert on certain Southern Division Huron villages.
This long isosceles triangular form may have continued in vogue
to the east slightly longer than among the Neutrals to the west,
as it occurs on village sites such as Beeton and McKenzie. Nanticoke
Triangular points are so similar in size and shape to the Nanticoke
Notched form that many may have been intended as preforms for
the latter.
REFERENCES: London Chapter, Ontario Archaeological Society.
W.A. Fox, 1981, Nanticoke Triangular Points. KEWA 81-4.