OTTER CREEK POINTS
Early to Middle Archaic: 5,000 to 3,000
BP
DESCRIPTION: TOtter Creek points range in size from
55 to 115 mm in length, averaging about 75 mm, and 10 to 16 mm
in thickness. This is a large, thick, narrow to medium width side
notched point, with square tangs. The blade is ovoid or lancelate
in shape, biconvex in cross section, with excurvate edges, but
less often straight. They are boldly side notched, leaving squared
off basal tangs. The base is normally concave, but some examples
are closer to straight. Grinding of the base, notches and tang
edges seems to be a given. Because of its large size it may well
have been primarily a spear point.
DISTRIBUTION: Currently they are best known in west central
Vermont, especially in the valley of Otter Creek and its tributaries.
It is the predominant type form on certain sites explored by T.E.
Daniels, and also present on the multicomplex Vergennes site (Bailey,
1939). The Otter Creek is possibly genetically related to the
Brewerton Side Notched point.
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AGE AND CULTURE: This was the prevailing point type on
certain sites, and attributed to the poorly defined Vergennes
complex of the Archaic Laurentian manifestation in western Vermont.
REFERENCES: Ritchie, 1961. pp. 40-41, 94-98. Overstreet,
2003. pp. 155-156.