Other Websites with Detailed Information: 
http://www.lithicsnet.com/pedernal.htm
Name Details:
Named By J. Charles Kelley
Named For:  Area examples were found
Date Identified:  1947
Type Site:  Pedernales River, Edwards Plateau, central Texas
 Pedernales
(Pedernales Indented Base)
AKA: Pedernalis (Cambron)
Cluster:







Commonly Utilized Material:
Pedernales River Amoeba Chert

Date:                   
Cultural Period:   
3,000 - 2,000 B.P.
Transitional Archaic
Neoglacial to Roman Warm

Glacial Period:
Culture:
     
      


Outline is Representative of Common Size and Shape:



Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:

This is a thin medium to large (typically 2.5 to 3.5 inches) triangular stemmed point with a flattened cross section.  The blade may vary from excurvate to straight.  However, heavily re-worked examples may have an incurvate to recurvate blade.  The shoulder are prominent and most commonly barbed, but the barbs may diminish as the point is re-sharpened.  The stem is primarily straight, but may be slightly contracting.  The base is most notable bifurcated, but may range to slightly concave.  The basal notch may result in a flute like flake on one or both sides.  The stem rarely has hafting region grinding or smoothing.  This point usually has a high quality of workmanship and has a random flaking pattern.

Size Measurements:  Total Length - 30 to 130 mm (60 to 90  mm average), Stem Length - 15 to 20 mm,  Blade Width - 30 to 50 mm,  Stem Width - 15 to28 mm, Thickness - 5 to 7 mm,  Basal Concavity - 5 to 8 mm

Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
This point is primarily found in  central Texas and into the lower Rio Grande region.  Frequency decreases into the coastal regions of Texas and into the Trans-Pecos area.  Suhm and Krieger (1954) noted that rarely these points are found outside this distribution, but those could be considered intrusive.
Similar Points:
Gower. Hoxie, Jetta, Langtry, Marshall, Montell, Uvalde, Val Verde
Related / Associated Points:
Kerrville Knife
Additional Comments:

The most identifiable type is the bifurcated stem or the "classic" style.  However, the base may be slightly concave which is more difficult to identify as this type (picture 2).  Some re-sharpened examples with the shoulders re-worked may take on a lanceolate appearance (W11).

Cambron (1969) refers to this point as a Pedernalis point.  He reports examples being found at Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter, Flint Creek Rock Shelter, and Flint River Shell Mound in Alabama.




Pictures:

Other points in this Cluster:
Point Validity:  

Kelley was a distinguished anthropologist who served as Curator of the Archaeological Museum at the University of Texas-Austin and was instrumental in setting up the Department of Anthropology at the University of Texas-Austin.  He specialized in the archaeology of western Texas.  This type was named in a professional publication and has many professional references.  This is considered a valid type.





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Age Details:
Pictures Provided By:
Don Bickham
Barry Neptune
Paul Honsinger
Randy M
The Artifact Hound
Walter Williams (Sierra Artifacts)
Western Artifacts
The Artifact Connection
Kirk Kirk
Rod of the Rock
Texas Arrowheads

Artifact Hunter
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References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):

8, 12, 23, 30, 115, 177, W11
Pedernales Projectile Point, Pedernales Arrowhead