Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Name Details:
Identified By: John Witthoft (described and named) / William A. Richie (first published)
Named For:
Date Identified: 1959 / 1961
Type Site: Accokeek Creek Site, Maryland
Identified By: John Witthoft (described and named) / William A. Richie (first published)
Named For:
Date Identified: 1959 / 1961
Type Site: Accokeek Creek Site, Maryland
Point Validity:
Valid type
Witthoft is a pioneering anthropologist who retired as a professor for the Department of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as Chief Curator for the Pennsylvania State Museum and as State Archaeologist for the State of Pennsylvania. He was an expert in the archaeology of Pennsylvania. This point was named in a professional publication and has many professional references. This is considered a valid type.
Witthoft is a pioneering anthropologist who retired as a professor for the Department of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as Chief Curator for the Pennsylvania State Museum and as State Archaeologist for the State of Pennsylvania. He was an expert in the archaeology of Pennsylvania. This point was named in a professional publication and has many professional references. This is considered a valid type.
Poplar Island Contracting Stem
Cluster: Dickson Contracting Stem Cluster Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a lanceolate medium to large contracting stem point with an elliptical cross section. The blade may vary from straight to excurvate. The blade is commonly symmetrical and narrow. The shoulders are weak to absent and have an upward slope and rounded. The stem is contracting with a convex base. The base may vary from rounded to pointed. This point has a random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements:
Total Length - 40 to 120 mm (50 to 70 mm average), Stem Length - 11 to 33 mm, Blade Width - 18 to 35 mm, Stem Width - 10 to 22 mm, Thickness - 5 to 23 mm (average is under 11mm).
Total Length - 40 to 120 mm (50 to 70 mm average), Stem Length - 11 to 33 mm, Blade Width - 18 to 35 mm, Stem Width - 10 to 22 mm, Thickness - 5 to 23 mm (average is under 11mm).
Commonly Utilized Material:
Most commonly rhyolite and quartzite followed by argillite, quartz and chert.
Most commonly rhyolite and quartzite followed by argillite, quartz and chert.
Additional Comments:
The shoulders of this point are less defined than the similar Morrow Mountain point. The base of this point is also more convex than the Morrow Mountain point (W10).
This point is similar to the Schuylkill point of eastern Pennsylvania, but the shoulder of this point are rounder and less pronounced or angular that the shoulders of the Schuylkill point.
The shoulders of this point are less defined than the similar Morrow Mountain point. The base of this point is also more convex than the Morrow Mountain point (W10).
This point is similar to the Schuylkill point of eastern Pennsylvania, but the shoulder of this point are rounder and less pronounced or angular that the shoulders of the Schuylkill point.
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
These points are found from northern Virginia through out the Potomac River Valley and into the Susquehanna River valley. It is found through-out the Hudson River valley and into the White Clay Creek and Brandywine river valleys of Delaware.
These points are found from northern Virginia through out the Potomac River Valley and into the Susquehanna River valley. It is found through-out the Hudson River valley and into the White Clay Creek and Brandywine river valleys of Delaware.
Age / Periods:
Date: 3,500 - 2,000 B.P.
Cultural Period: Late Archaic to Early Woodland
Glacial Period: Neoglacial to Roman Warm
Culture:
Date: 3,500 - 2,000 B.P.
Cultural Period: Late Archaic to Early Woodland
Glacial Period: Neoglacial to Roman Warm
Culture:
Age Details:
Custer (1996) gives a broad date of 7,000 to 1,000 B.P. He suggest that these points were rare until 5,000 B.P. and then the larger points (greater than 50 mm) were the primary type from 4,500 to 2,000 B.P. while the smaller points were used after 2,000 B.P.
Custer (1996) gives a broad date of 7,000 to 1,000 B.P. He suggest that these points were rare until 5,000 B.P. and then the larger points (greater than 50 mm) were the primary type from 4,500 to 2,000 B.P. while the smaller points were used after 2,000 B.P.
