Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Name Details:
Identified By: James Cambron (both forms)
Named For: Big Sandy Variant
Date Identified: 1975
Type Site:
Identified By: James Cambron (both forms)
Named For: Big Sandy Variant
Date Identified: 1975
Type Site:
Point Validity:
Valid type
Cambron is a distinguished avocational archaeologist that did extensive work in Alabama and the Tennessee River valley. Most references are to the Big Sandy Contracting Base with very few referring to the Auricle Base form. The characteristics of this form also overlap with he Jakie Shelter point which complicates identification of this point. Because there is professional acceptance of this type, this type is considered a valid type.
Big Sandy Contracting Base
AKA: Big Sandy Auriculate BaseCluster: Large Side Notch Cluster
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a medium to large bifurcated point with an elliptical cross section. The blade is excurvate with parallel notches that range from horizontal to upward angle. The stem is expanding and may have an auricle appearance. The base is deeply concave to bifurcated and have basal grinding. The most common flaking pattern is random, but rare examples have had parallel transverse flaking.
Size Measurements:
Length - 35 to 45 mm (39 mm average), Stem Length - 10 to 13 mm (11 mm average), Blade Width - 16 to 26 mm (22 mm average), Neck Width - 10 to 17 mm (14 mm average), Stem Width-18 to 23 mm (21 mm average), Thickness - 6 to 9 mm, Basal Concavity - 1 to 3 mm.
Length - 35 to 45 mm (39 mm average), Stem Length - 10 to 13 mm (11 mm average), Blade Width - 16 to 26 mm (22 mm average), Neck Width - 10 to 17 mm (14 mm average), Stem Width-18 to 23 mm (21 mm average), Thickness - 6 to 9 mm, Basal Concavity - 1 to 3 mm.
Commonly Utilized Material:
Additional Comments:
Many have differentiated between the auricle form and the constricted form. The auricle form has rounder ears (picture 2) while the contracting base has wider flatter ears and is more bifurcated (picture 1).
Many have differentiated between the auricle form and the constricted form. The auricle form has rounder ears (picture 2) while the contracting base has wider flatter ears and is more bifurcated (picture 1).
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
These points are most abundant in the Tennessee River valley and has the second highest frequency in the Ohio River Valley. They are less common in the other highlighted areas.
These points are most abundant in the Tennessee River valley and has the second highest frequency in the Ohio River Valley. They are less common in the other highlighted areas.
Age / Periods:
Date: 10,000 - 8,000,B.P.
Cultural Period: Early Archaic
Glacial Period: Early Holocene
Culture:
Date: 10,000 - 8,000,B.P.
Cultural Period: Early Archaic
Glacial Period: Early Holocene
Culture:
Age Details:
This point is part of the Big Sandy Phase.
This point is part of the Big Sandy Phase.
Similar Points:
Black Sand, Bolen, Cache River, Ensor, Fairland, Frio, Godar, Graham Cave, Hemphill, Hickory Ridge, Kessell, MacCorkle, Newton Falls, Osceola, Raddatz, Rowan, Savage Cave, St. Charles, Taylor Side Notch
Black Sand, Bolen, Cache River, Ensor, Fairland, Frio, Godar, Graham Cave, Hemphill, Hickory Ridge, Kessell, MacCorkle, Newton Falls, Osceola, Raddatz, Rowan, Savage Cave, St. Charles, Taylor Side Notch
Other points in this cluster / Related / Associated Points:
Big Sandy, Big Sandy Broad Base, Big Sandy Leighton Base, Big Sandy E-Notch, Cache River Godar, Graham Cave, Greenbrier, Hemphill, Howard County, Madison Side Notched, Osceola, Osceola Greenbrier, Raddatz, Simonsen
Big Sandy, Big Sandy Broad Base, Big Sandy Leighton Base, Big Sandy E-Notch, Cache River Godar, Graham Cave, Greenbrier, Hemphill, Howard County, Madison Side Notched, Osceola, Osceola Greenbrier, Raddatz, Simonsen
