Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Name Details:
Identified By: James Cambron
Named For: Adena variant
Date Identified: 1964
Type Site:
Identified By: James Cambron
Named For: Adena variant
Date Identified: 1964
Type Site:
Point Validity: Variant type
Cambron is a distinguished Anthropologist that did extensive work in Alabama and the Tennessee River valley. This point was named in his book identifying Alabama projectile points. There are many professional references to this Adena sub-type. This is considered a valid type.
Adena Narrow Blade
(Variant)Cluster: Adena Cluster
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a medium to large triangular stemmed point with an elliptical cross section. This point generally has a excurvate blade, but may vary to straight, with the shoulders edge being straight to rounded. The shoulders range from straight to slightly barbed. The stem is generally straight, but may be slightly contracting. The base is normally convex but occasionally is straight. This point has random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements:
Total Length - 45 to 110 mm, Stem Length - 12 to 20 mm, Width at Shoulders - 25 to 50 mm, Stem Width - 10 to 20 mm, Thickness - average 9 mm
Total Length - 45 to 110 mm, Stem Length - 12 to 20 mm, Width at Shoulders - 25 to 50 mm, Stem Width - 10 to 20 mm, Thickness - average 9 mm
Commonly Utilized Material:
These points are primarily made of cryptocrystalline materials. Rarely these points have been made of rhyolite, quartzite, chalcedony and jasper. Materials are commonly heat treated.
These points are primarily made of cryptocrystalline materials. Rarely these points have been made of rhyolite, quartzite, chalcedony and jasper. Materials are commonly heat treated.
Additional Comments:
The Adena Culture is considered the first of the Mound Builder Cultures. The Mound Builder Cultures include the Adena Culture, Hopewell Culture, and the Mississippians.
Adena points that are associated with the Adena Culture, are primarily found in the Ohio River Valley. There are many similar points within the Mound Builder Distribution that has similar characteristics to the Adena point. Some of these include the Waubesa point (Hopewell), and the Dickson, Mason, and Florence point (Red Ocher Culture). Adena style points found outside the Adena Cultural area should be evaluated for the possibility it is a similar type.
Early Adena points seem to be most commonly associated with the Tennessee River Valley and the point seems to spread from there in the early Woodland period (Kneberg 1956), however, the Adena culture is centered (and thought to originate) in the Ohio River valley (W11).
The Adena and Waubesa points have many overlapping similarities. Adena points have less defined shoulders and has the widest part of the blade well above the shoulders. Waubesa points have well defined shoulders with the widest part of the blade at the shoulders (Morrow, 2016)
The Adena Culture is considered the first of the Mound Builder Cultures. The Mound Builder Cultures include the Adena Culture, Hopewell Culture, and the Mississippians.
Adena points that are associated with the Adena Culture, are primarily found in the Ohio River Valley. There are many similar points within the Mound Builder Distribution that has similar characteristics to the Adena point. Some of these include the Waubesa point (Hopewell), and the Dickson, Mason, and Florence point (Red Ocher Culture). Adena style points found outside the Adena Cultural area should be evaluated for the possibility it is a similar type.
Early Adena points seem to be most commonly associated with the Tennessee River Valley and the point seems to spread from there in the early Woodland period (Kneberg 1956), however, the Adena culture is centered (and thought to originate) in the Ohio River valley (W11).
The Adena and Waubesa points have many overlapping similarities. Adena points have less defined shoulders and has the widest part of the blade well above the shoulders. Waubesa points have well defined shoulders with the widest part of the blade at the shoulders (Morrow, 2016)
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
These points are found within the Ohio River Valley. The normal distribution of the Adena points are marked in red (see Additional Comments). The yellow section is the influence and trading network of the Mound Builders which include the Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippian Cultures.
Age / Periods:
Date: 3,500 - 1,300 B.P.
Cultural Period: Late Archaic to Woodland
Glacial Period: Neoglacial to Roman Warm
Culture: Adena culture
Date: 3,500 - 1,300 B.P.
Cultural Period: Late Archaic to Woodland
Glacial Period: Neoglacial to Roman Warm
Culture: Adena culture
Age Details:
Lowery (2012), was part of the Delmarva Adena Hopewell complex which started about 2,500 P.B. and continued to 1,300 B.P.
Lowery (2012), was part of the Delmarva Adena Hopewell complex which started about 2,500 P.B. and continued to 1,300 B.P.
Similar Points:
Boggy Branch Type 2, Burkett, Cypress Stemmed, Duncan Island, Elk River, Kent, Koens Crispin, Kramer, Hamilton Stemmed, Hidden Valley, Lehigh, Macon, New Market, Pontchartrain, Randolph
Boggy Branch Type 2, Burkett, Cypress Stemmed, Duncan Island, Elk River, Kent, Koens Crispin, Kramer, Hamilton Stemmed, Hidden Valley, Lehigh, Macon, New Market, Pontchartrain, Randolph
Other points in this cluster / Related points:
Adena Dickson, Gary, Little Bear Creek, Poplar Island, Rossville
Adena Dickson, Gary, Little Bear Creek, Poplar Island, Rossville
