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Name Details:
Named By: William
Massey
Named For: La
Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Date Identified:
1961
Type Site:
Loreto
Cluster:
Commonly Utilized Material:
Date:
Cultural Period:
8,000 - 7,000 B.P.
Early Archaic
Middle Holocene
Glacial Period:
Culture:
Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a large (3 to 3.5 inches) triangular contracting stem point with
an elliptical cross section. The blade ranges from straight to
slightly excurvate. The shoulder vary from slightly barbed to
horizontal. The stem contracts and ranges from ovoid to a sharp
point. This point commonly has a high quality of workmanship with
a random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements: Data needed
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
This point is primarily found in central to southern Baja California,
Mexico.
Similar Points:
Acatita, Amargosa, Ano Nuevo, Augustin, Channel Island Barbed, Gatecliff, Gypsum Cave, La Paz, Manuela, Point Sal Barbed, Vandenberg Contracting Stem Related / Associated Points:
La Paz Additional Comments:
Loyd Doty notes:
LORETO (Stemmed) – is Spanish and means ‘Laurels’. Archaeologist
William Massey named this type for examples recovered from near the
community of Loreto in Baja California. They are large (3” to 3.50”) projectiles and knives with round stems
and tangs. As in the case of La
Paz points, he interpreted Loreto points as having derived from the Gypsum
Cave and as belonging to the Amargosa II complex. Archaeologist Makoto Kowta believed they belonged to the Coxcatlan
Complex of the Tehuacan Valley in the State of Puebla in Mexico, which would
place them firmly within the early Archaic period. Reference: Massey, William C. 1966:46, Archaeology and Ethnohistory of Lower California.
In Archaeological Frontiers and
External Connections, edited by Gordon F. Ekholm and Gordon R.
Willey, pp. 38-58. Handbook of
Middle American Indians, Vol. 4. University of Texas Press, Austin.
Pictures:
Other points in this Cluster:
Point Validity: Valid Type
Massey was a distinguished anthropologist who conducted extensive studies
into the archaeology of Baja California. This type was defined in a
professional publication and has many professional references. This is
considered a valid type.
.
Age Details:
Pictures Provided By:
A special thanks to Loyd Doty for providing additional information and
pictures.
As illustrated by Ritter and Burcell, 1998
References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):
92, 187
Loreto Projectile Point, Loreto Arrowhead
