Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Name Details:
Identified By: Noel Justice
Named For: Black Mesa, Arizona
Date Identified: 2002
Type Site:
Identified By: Noel Justice
Named For: Black Mesa, Arizona
Date Identified: 2002
Type Site:
Point Validity:
Valid type
Justice is a distinguished archaeologist and Assistant Director and Curator of Collections at Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at Indiana University. This point was named in his book on points of the Southwest. There are currently few professional references to this type, but that may be due to the limited distribution and number of examples. This is considered a valid type.
Justice is a distinguished archaeologist and Assistant Director and Curator of Collections at Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at Indiana University. This point was named in his book on points of the Southwest. There are currently few professional references to this type, but that may be due to the limited distribution and number of examples. This is considered a valid type.
Black Mesa Narrow Neck
AKA: Basketmaker IICluster: Black Mesa Cluster
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a small to medium triangular side notch point with a flattened to elliptical cross section. The blade may vary from excurvate to straight with fine sharp serrations. Wide large circular U-shaped notches enter low on the blade. Examples with the notched entering towards the base will give the point a corner notch point and when the notches enter slightly higher, the point will have a side notch appearance. The notches are deep and leave a narrow or fragile neck. The shoulders are most commonly horizontal, but may vary to slightly barbed. The stem is expanding with a straight to convex base. This point is manufactured with percussion flaking and finished with fine pressure flaking forming a random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements:
Total Length - 38 to 68 mm (average 42 mm), Stem Length - 7 to 11 mm (average 9 to 10 mm), Blade Width - 14 to 26 mm (average 21 mm), Neck Width - 4 to 9 mm (average 6 mm), Notch Depth - 3 to 9 mm, Stem Width - 12 to 22 mm, Thickness - 4 to 8 mm
Total Length - 38 to 68 mm (average 42 mm), Stem Length - 7 to 11 mm (average 9 to 10 mm), Blade Width - 14 to 26 mm (average 21 mm), Neck Width - 4 to 9 mm (average 6 mm), Notch Depth - 3 to 9 mm, Stem Width - 12 to 22 mm, Thickness - 4 to 8 mm
Commonly Utilized Material:
Obsidian, petrified wood, and cherts
Obsidian, petrified wood, and cherts
Additional Comments:
Amargosa, Elko, and San Pedro points have a similar outline, but lack the narrow fragile neck seen in the Black Mesa point.
Amargosa, Elko, and San Pedro points have a similar outline, but lack the narrow fragile neck seen in the Black Mesa point.
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
This point is primarily found in the four corners region (especially the Black Mesa area). These points extend into Concho Arizona and into the Little Colorado River valley.
This point is primarily found in the four corners region (especially the Black Mesa area). These points extend into Concho Arizona and into the Little Colorado River valley.
Age / Periods:
Date: 1,900 - 1,200 B.P.
Cultural Period: Transitional Archaic to Developmental
Glacial Period: Roman Warm to Vandal Minimum to Warm
Culture: Basketmaker II
Date: 1,900 - 1,200 B.P.
Cultural Period: Transitional Archaic to Developmental
Glacial Period: Roman Warm to Vandal Minimum to Warm
Culture: Basketmaker II
Age Details:
Other points in this cluster / Related / Associated Points:
