Name Details:
Named By: Ripley P. Bullen
Named For: Ocala, Marion County, Florida
Date Identified: 1975
Type Site:
Ocala
AKA: Poppa Taylor
Cluster:
Commonly Utilized Material:
Date:
Cultural Period:
2,500 - 1,500 B.P.
Late Archaic to Early Woodland
Neoglacial to Roman Warm
Glacial Period:
Culture:
Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a medium to large
(2 to 5.5 inches) ovoid corner notch point with a flattened elliptical cross section. The blade is excurvate,
curving in at the tip and curving back in towards the base. The shoulders are usually
barbed, but may range to horizontal giving the point a side notch or expanding stem appearance. Rounded to angular notches enter the blade from the corners of the
preform forming a stem that is expanding. The base is convex. This point
is well made and has a random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements: Total Length - 45 to
134 mm, Blade Width - 23 to 65 mm, Thickness - 3 to 9 mm
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
This point is primarily found in the Tampa Bay area and into the Ichetucknee River region.
Additional Comments:
James Gray (1975), referred to this type as the Poppa Taylor point after Calvin P. Taylor who recovered examples of this type along the Ichetucknee River in 1968.
Bullen (1975) suggested that this type may have Hopewellian influence, but that was based on the overall appearance of the point. There has been some skepticism that the influence may have existed.
However, Schroder (2013 W18) suggest that the Florida Ceremonial Blade may have developed based on influence from the Hopewellian trading system.
Pictures:
Other points in this Cluster:
Point Validity: Valid Type
Bullen was a distinguished
anthropologist and Curator Emeritus of the Florida Museum of Natural History. He was dedicated to identifying and typing projectile points from Florida. This point was named in a professional publication and is professionally a widely recognized type. This is a valid type.
.
Age Details:
References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):
23, 30, 167, W18
Ocala Projectile Point, Ocala Arrowhead
