Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Name Details:
Identified By: Richard L. George
Named For: Type Site
Date Identified: 1996
Type Site: Backstrum Site, Western Pennsylvania
Identified By: Richard L. George
Named For: Type Site
Date Identified: 1996
Type Site: Backstrum Site, Western Pennsylvania
Point Validity:
Provisional type
George was a professional archaeologist for the Carnegie Museum who published many books and served on the board of trustees for the Society of Pennsylvania Archeology. This type was named in a professional publication (Pennsylvania Archaeologist "The Backstrum Side Notch Point Evidence" 62(1) 62-72). There are many references to this article, but no professional references to this type specifically. This is a provisional type.
George was a professional archaeologist for the Carnegie Museum who published many books and served on the board of trustees for the Society of Pennsylvania Archeology. This type was named in a professional publication (Pennsylvania Archaeologist "The Backstrum Side Notch Point Evidence" 62(1) 62-72). There are many references to this article, but no professional references to this type specifically. This is a provisional type.
Backstrum Side Notch
(Provisional Type)Cluster:
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a small (1.5 to 2 inch) side notch point with an elliptical cross section. The blade is excurvate with shoulders that are at an upward angle. The stem is expanding with a base that ranges from straight to slightly concave. This point has a random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements:
Commonly Utilized Material:
Additional Comments:
Loyd Doty notes:
BACKSTRUM (Side Notch) – was named by archaeologist Richard L. George for examples recovered from the Winters Knuckles archaeology site (36WM432) opposite the mouth of Sewickly Creek on the Youghiogeny River, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. They are small projectiles (1.50” to 2”) with elongated side indentations and straight or slightly concave bases. The type is similar to other side notched points in the region. Distribution is western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northwestern West Virginia and they were in use during the middle to early Woodland period. Note: This point type has not been widely publicized therefore, the name is likely used by local collectors only.
References: George, Richard L. 1992, Early Late Woodland in Pennsylvania The Backstrum Side Notched Point Evidence. Pennsylvania Archaeologist 62(1):62-67. George, Richard L. 1996, The Winters-Knuckles site and the Mystery House on the Youghiogeny. Pennsylvania Archaeologist Vol. 66.
Loyd Doty notes:
BACKSTRUM (Side Notch) – was named by archaeologist Richard L. George for examples recovered from the Winters Knuckles archaeology site (36WM432) opposite the mouth of Sewickly Creek on the Youghiogeny River, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. They are small projectiles (1.50” to 2”) with elongated side indentations and straight or slightly concave bases. The type is similar to other side notched points in the region. Distribution is western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northwestern West Virginia and they were in use during the middle to early Woodland period. Note: This point type has not been widely publicized therefore, the name is likely used by local collectors only.
References: George, Richard L. 1992, Early Late Woodland in Pennsylvania The Backstrum Side Notched Point Evidence. Pennsylvania Archaeologist 62(1):62-67. George, Richard L. 1996, The Winters-Knuckles site and the Mystery House on the Youghiogeny. Pennsylvania Archaeologist Vol. 66.
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
This point is is primarily found in southwestern Pennsylvania and into Ohio and West Virginia.
This point is is primarily found in southwestern Pennsylvania and into Ohio and West Virginia.
Age / Periods:
Date: 3,000 - 2,000 B.P.
Cultural Period:Early to Middle Woodland
Glacial Period: Neoglacial to Roman Warm
Culture:
Date: 3,000 - 2,000 B.P.
Cultural Period:Early to Middle Woodland
Glacial Period: Neoglacial to Roman Warm
Culture:
Age Details:
This point is associated with the Backstrum Phase in southwestern Pennsylvania.
This point is associated with the Backstrum Phase in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Similar Points:
Other points in this cluster / Related / Associated Points:
