Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Name Details:
Identified By: Andrew R. Pigniolo and Antonio Porcayo Michelini
Named For: Descanso, San Diego County, California
Date Identified: 2009
Type Site:
Identified By: Andrew R. Pigniolo and Antonio Porcayo Michelini
Named For: Descanso, San Diego County, California
Date Identified: 2009
Type Site:
Point Validity:
Valid type
Pigniolo is a professional archaeologist for a research firm who has conducted extensive research projects into the archeology of southern California. Antonio Porcayo Michelini is a distinguished anthropologist and professor at the Instituto Nacional de Anthropologia e Historia, Baja Mexico. This type was identified in a professional publication and has several professional references. This is considered a valid type
Pigniolo is a professional archaeologist for a research firm who has conducted extensive research projects into the archeology of southern California. Antonio Porcayo Michelini is a distinguished anthropologist and professor at the Instituto Nacional de Anthropologia e Historia, Baja Mexico. This type was identified in a professional publication and has several professional references. This is considered a valid type
Descanso Multi-Notch
Cluster: Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is an medium (2.5 to 3 inch) ovoid side notch point with an elliptical cross section. The blade is excurvate and has single bilateral notch on the blade above the shoulders. The shoulders range from weak to prominent and at a slight upward angle. The stem is expanding with a convex base giving the stem a bulbous appearance. This point has a random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements:
Commonly Utilized Material:
Additional Comments:
Loyd Doty notes:
DESCANSO (Multi Side Notch) – is Spanish meaning ‘rest from labor’ which interprets to usually mean a homemade memorial placed where someone has died or where their ashes have been scattered. This point type was defined by archaeologists Andrew R. Pigniolo and Antonio Porcayo Michelini, based on finds within a relatively small area in northwestern Baja California and southwestern California (1st map below) within the Southwestern Cultural Region (2nd map below). They are named for Descanso township, Sand Diego County, California. The category includes medium sized (2.50” to 3.75”) leaf shaped projectiles with multiple side notches. Chronologically, they are said to date to around 7K years ago. Distribution is limited to northern Baja California and southern San Diego County which suggests a short lived period of use. The narrow frequency distribution of this style leaves us with questions about why such a unique innovation was so localized.
Reference: Pigniolo, Andrew R., and Antonio Porcayo Michelini. 2009. Descanso Notched Points: Innovation, Culture, and Interaction. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for California Archaeology, Modesto.
Loyd Doty notes:
DESCANSO (Multi Side Notch) – is Spanish meaning ‘rest from labor’ which interprets to usually mean a homemade memorial placed where someone has died or where their ashes have been scattered. This point type was defined by archaeologists Andrew R. Pigniolo and Antonio Porcayo Michelini, based on finds within a relatively small area in northwestern Baja California and southwestern California (1st map below) within the Southwestern Cultural Region (2nd map below). They are named for Descanso township, Sand Diego County, California. The category includes medium sized (2.50” to 3.75”) leaf shaped projectiles with multiple side notches. Chronologically, they are said to date to around 7K years ago. Distribution is limited to northern Baja California and southern San Diego County which suggests a short lived period of use. The narrow frequency distribution of this style leaves us with questions about why such a unique innovation was so localized.
Reference: Pigniolo, Andrew R., and Antonio Porcayo Michelini. 2009. Descanso Notched Points: Innovation, Culture, and Interaction. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for California Archaeology, Modesto.
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
The distribution is limited to southern San Diego County in California and into northern Baja California, Mexico.
The distribution is limited to southern San Diego County in California and into northern Baja California, Mexico.
Age / Periods:
Date: 7,000 B.P.
Cultural Period: Middle Archaic
Glacial Period: Middle Holocene
Culture:
Date: 7,000 B.P.
Cultural Period: Middle Archaic
Glacial Period: Middle Holocene
Culture:
Age Details:
Other points in this cluster / Related / Associated Points:
