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Name Details:
Named By: Michael J. Moratto
Named For:
Date Identified: 1972
Type Site: Sierra Nevada Foothills, California
Sierra Contracting Stem
Cluster: Sierra Contracting Stem Cluster
Commonly Utilized Material:
Date:
Cultural Period:
4,500 - 1,500 B.P.
Late to Transitional Archaic
Neoglacial to Little Ice Age
Glacial Period:
Culture:
Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is
a narrow large triangular contracting stem point with an elliptical to flattened cross section. The blade is excurvate and may vary from being slightly
excurvate from the tip to the shoulders, or curving in at the tip and having parallel edges. Many examples have find serrations on the blade. The shoulders may range from weak to absent at an upward angle, to prominent and horizontal. The stem is contracting and may vary from wide to narrow. The base is straight to slightly convex based and may be unfinished. Grinding of the hafting region is not generally seen with this point. This point has a random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements: Total Length - 45 to
141 mm, Stem Length - 11 to 23 mm, Blade Width - 19 to 33
mm, Stem Width at Shoulders - 8 to 21 mm, Thickness - 4 to 7
mm
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
This point has a heavy concentration in the Reno and Lake Tahoe region. This point is primarily found in the central Sierra Nevada range, the foothills to the west, and into
Humboldt Lakebed in the east.
Additional Comments:
Steamboat Lanceolate points are commonly found at sites where this type is found (Justice, 2002).
Point Validity: Valid Type
Morratto is an anthropologist who has served as a professor at California State University
and now serves as Senior Archaeologist for a private archaeological research firm in California. He has conducted extensive studies into the archaeology of California. This type was named in a
professional publication and has many professional references. This is considered a valid type.
.
Age Details:
Pictures Provided By:
As Illustrated by Justice, 2002
Dennis Pereira
References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):
16, 23, 30
Sierra Contracting Stem Projectile Point, Sierra Contracting Stem Arrowhead
