Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:

Name Details:
Identified By: 
Named For:  Big Sandy Variant
Date Identified: 
Type Site: 
Point Validity: Collector type

The person who identified and named this type is unknown.  It has only been discussed in one professional publication (Tennessee Archaeologist).  This type is more commonly accepted and discussed in collector sources.  This type is considered a collector type.


Big Sandy E-Notch
AKA: Key Notch
Cluster: Large Side Notch Cluster
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a small to medium triangular side notch point with an elliptical cross section.  The blade is primarily excurvate, but may vary to straight.  The notches are parallel and horizontal with a wide notch (due to double notch).  The stem is expanded and the base is straight.  This point has a random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements:

Length - 35 to 80 mm (average 40 to 50 mm),  Stem Length - 15 to 23 mm,  Blade Width - 18 to 20 mm, Neck Width - 13 to 24 mm,  Stem Width - Approximately the same as the shoulders,  Thickness - 6 to 8 mm
Commonly Utilized Material:
Additional Comments:

The notch is made from two notches creating an E pattern.  Unlike the Thebes E Notch, this point has horizontal notches where the Thebes E Notch has barbed shoulders.  This point differs from the Bolen E Notch in the base.  This point has a straight base and the Bolen E Notch has a convex base.

Gregory Perino refers to these points as Key Notch.

The Tennessee Archaeologist (1981) Vol 35-36 pg 22 discuss five Big Sandy "E" type notch and discusses that this may represent an older variant of the Big Sandy type.
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.
Age / Periods:
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.
Similar Points:
Thebes E NotchBolen E NotchBlack SandBolen,  Cache RiverEnsorFairlandFrioGodar,  Graham CaveHemphillHickory RidgeKessellMacCorkleNewton FallsOsceolaRaddatz,  RowanSavage Cave,  St. CharlesTaylor Side Notch
Other points in this cluster / Related / Associated Points:
Big Sandy, Big Sandy Broad BaseBig Sandy Constricted Base Big Sandy Leighton Base, Cache River   GodarGraham CaveGreenbrierHemphillHoward CountyMadison Side NotchedOsceola Osceola GreenbrierRaddatzSimonsen
Pictures: 

Pictures Provided By:
 Big Sandy E Notch Projectile Point, Big Sandy E Notch Arrowhead
Key Notch Projectile Point, Key Notch Arrowhead
Will Rees
Mike's Tennessee Arrowheads

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References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):

10, 12, 17, 23, 30, W2, W11