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Name Details:
Named By: Curtis H. Tomak
 Named For: 
Date Identified:  1980
 Type Site: Scherschel site, Monroe County, Indiana
 Modesto
 Cluster:


Commonly Utilized Material:
Most common utilized material is Harrodsburg Chert, Indian Creek Chert / Richland Chert, Stanford Chert, and Indiana Hornstone

Date:                   
Cultural Period:   
4,500 - 3,500 B.P..
Middle to Late Archaic
Middle Holocene to Neoglacial

Glacial Period:
Culture:
     
      


Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:



Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:

This is a medium to large ovoid point with an elliptical cross section.  The blade is excurvate with the wide portion of the blade being about mid-point of the blade.  The base may vary from convex to concave.  The cortex commonly remains on the basal edge.  This point is made using broad percussion flaking generally lacking secondary pressure flaking forming a random flaking pattern and is commonly crudely made.   

Size Measurements:  Total Length - 42 to 95 mm (average 53 to 72 mm),  Blade Width - 14 to 31 mm (average 17 to 25 mm),  Thickness - 6 to 15 mm (average 87 to 12 mm) (Tomak, 1980)

Distribution:
Distribution Comments:

This point is most commonly in the Wabash Valley of Indiana and Illinois, and may be found into Kentucky.

Similar Points:
Karnak Unstemmed
Related / Associated Points:
Scherschel
Additional Comments:

This point if often considered an AKA for the Karnak Un-stemmed variant.
Pictures:

Karnak Blade
Other points in this Cluster:

Point Validity:   Valid Type

Tomak was a professional archaeologist who retired from the State of Illinois Department of Historic Preservation and Archaeology and was honored with Archaeologist of the Month in July 2009.  This type was named in a professional publication, but has no or limited professional references.  This type needs professional recognition as a unique type.  This type is considered a provisional type.



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Age Details:
This point is part of the Scherschel phase as defined by Tomak (1980).  Radiocarbon dating of the Scherschel site provided dates of 2,645 +/- 90 B.C.  Tomack places the dates of this type at 4,500 - 3,500 B.P.
Pictures Provided By:






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References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):

30, 37
Modesto Projectile Point, Modesto Arrowhead