Other Websites with Detailed Information:
Name Details:
Named By: Noel Justice
Named For: Yosemite National Park, California
Date Identified: 2002
Type Site:
Yosemite Contracting Stem
(Provisional Type)
Cluster: Sierra Contracting Stem Cluster
Commonly Utilized Material:
Date:
Cultural Period:
4,500 - 1,500 B.P.
Late to 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 narrow medium to large triangular contracting stem point with an elliptical to flattened cross section. The blade is excurvate with the blade curving in at the tip
and having parallel edges. Many examples have find serrations on the blade. The shoulders may vary from slightly barbed to
having an upward angle. The shape and length of the shoulders are dependent upon the amount of re-sharpening the blade has had. The stem is contracting with a base that is straight to slightly convex. This point has a parallel oblique flaking pattern.
Size Measurements: Total Length - 41 to
118 mm, Stem Length - 8 to 18 mm, Blade Width - 21 to 28 mm,
Stem Width at Shoulders - 11 to 21 mm, Thickness - 7 to 10 mm
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
This point is primarily found in the central Sierra Nevada range and surrounding region.
Additional Comments:
This point is similar to the Sierra Contracting Stem, but differed in the flaking pattern. The Sierra has a random flaking pattern and the Yosemite has a parallel oblique flaking pattern.
Hattori (1982) suggest that these may have been used as knifes based on the steep flaking and crushing of the edges of these points.
Pictures:
Point Validity: Cultural Type
Justice is a distinguished
archaeologist and Assistant Director and Curator of Collections at Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at Indiana University. This point was named in his book on
points of the California and the Great Basin. This point has limited or no professional references. This is considered a provisional type.
.
Age Details:
Pictures Provided By:
As Illustrated by Justice, 2002
References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):
16, 23, 30
Yosemite Projectile Point, Yosemite Arrowhead
