Projectile Point Identification Guide

Notched Projectile Points of

California


 

    

 

 

Name Picture Shape Size Cultural Period Validity
Side Notch          
Albion Head
AKA: Mendocino Side Notch
Side Notch Medium Middle to Transitional Archaic Valid Type
Chiricahua Side Notch to Expanding Stem / Bifurcated Small to Medium Middle Archaic Valid Type
Clear Lake Side Notch Small Developmental to Classic Valid Type
Clikapudi Side to Corner Notch Medium Transitional Archaic Valid Type
Contra Costa Side Notch / Contracting Stemmed Small to Large Transitional Archaic Valid Type
Descanso Side Notch Medium Middle Archaic Valid Type
Desert Side Notch Small Classic Valid Type
Desert Delta Side Notch Small Classic Valid Type
Desert Redding Side Notch Small to Medium Classic Valid Type
Desert Sierra Side Notch Small Classic Valid Type
Diablo Canyon Side Notch Medium Early to Middle Archaic Valid Type
Dos Cabezas Triangle (may have Side Notch appearance)   Developmental Valid Type
Eagle Lake Side Notch Medium Middle Archaic More Information Needed
Elko Side Notch Side Notch to Expanding Stem Small to Medium Late to Transitional Archaic Valid Type
Fish Slough Side Notch Side Notch Medium to Large Early Archaic Valid Type
Foresthill Notched Side Notch to Expanding Stem Small to Medium Late to Transitional Archaic Valid Type
Jalama Side Notch / Bifurcated Small to Medium Early to Middle Archaic Valid Type
Jatay Side Notch to Expanding Stem Small to Medium Late to Transitional Archaic Cultural Type
La Jolla Side Notch to Expanding Stem Small to Medium Late to Transitional Archaic Cultural Type
Madonna Side Notch Small Classic - Historic Valid Type
Martis Side Notch Medium Transitional Archaic to Developmental Valid Type
Need Stemmed Lanceolate Side Notch to Ovoid Medium to Large Transitional Archaic Provisional Type
Nightfire Side Notch Medium to Large Late to Transitional Archaic Collector Type
Northern Side Notch
AKA: Silent Snake
Side Notch Medium to Large Early Archaic Valid Type
Panoche Side Notch Small Classic to Historic Valid Type
Rose Springs Side Notch Side Notch Small Late Prehistoric / Developmental Valid Type
Salmon River Fishtail Side Notch Medium Early to Middle Archaic Valid Type
San Jose Expanding Stem to Side Notch / Auriculate Small to Medium Middle Archaic Valid Type
Stockton Side Notch Side Notch Small to Medium Developmental / Late Prehistoric Valid Type
Tuolumne Notched Side Notch Large Late to Transitional Archaic Provisional Type
Vallecito Side Notch Small Classic to Historic Provisional Type
Ventana Side Notch
AKA:L Luepp Side Notch and Squaw Mountain
Side Notch Small to Medium Middle to Late Archaic Valid Type
Willits Side Notch to Expanding Stem Medium to Large Late to Transitional Archaic Valid Type
Corner Notch          
Elko Corner Notch Corner Notch Small to Medium Late to Transitional Archaic Valid Type
Elko Eared Expanding Stem to Corner Notch / Bifurcated Small to Medium Late to Transitional Archaic Valid Type
Hells Canyon Corner Notch Small to Medium Developmental to Historic Valid Type
Mayacmas Corner to Side Notch Medium to Large Middle to Late Archaic Valid Type
Rattlesnake Corner Notch Small Developmental to Classic Valid Type
Rose Springs Corner Notch
AKA: Rosegate
Corner Notch Small Late Prehistoric / Developmental Valid Type
Round Valley Corner Notch Medium Transitional Archaic to Developmental Valid Type
Stockton Corner Notch Corner Notch Small to Medium Developmental / Late Prehistoric Valid Type
Basal Notch          
Eastgate Basal Notch Small Developmental / Late Prehistory Valid Type
Eastgate Split Stem Basal Notch / Bifurcated Small Developmental / Late Prehistory Valid Type
Gunther Barbed
AKA:  Camas Valley, Mad River, Molly, Molalla, Rogue River, Shasta, Sutter Valley
Basal Notch / Contracting Stem Small Developmental to Classic Valid Type
Hells Canyon Basal Notch Basal Notch Small to Medium Developmental to Historic Valid Type
Norden Basal Notch Basal Notch Medium Late to Transitional Archaic Valid Type
Parowan Basal Notch Small to Medium Developmental Valid Type
Point Sal Barbed Contracting Stem to Basal Notch Medium to Large Late to Transitional Archaic Valid Type
Shasta Complex
AKA for Yana (Gunther)
Basal Notch / Contracting Stem Small to Medium Developmental to Classic AKA for Gunther type