Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Name Details:
Identified By: Robert Ritzenthaler
Named For: Type Site
Date Identified: 1946
Type Site: Osceola Site, Grant County, Wisconsin
Identified By: Robert Ritzenthaler
Named For: Type Site
Date Identified: 1946
Type Site: Osceola Site, Grant County, Wisconsin
Point Validity:
Valid type
Ritzenthaler was a distinguished anthropologist and Curator of Anthropology at the Milwaukee Public Museum. He served as an Officer and Editor for the Wisconsin Archaeological Society. This type was named in a professional publication and has many professional publication. This is considered a valid type.
Ritzenthaler was a distinguished anthropologist and Curator of Anthropology at the Milwaukee Public Museum. He served as an Officer and Editor for the Wisconsin Archaeological Society. This type was named in a professional publication and has many professional publication. This is considered a valid type.
Osceola Side Notch
Cluster: Large Side Notch Cluster Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a medium to large (typically 4 to5 inches) side notched point with a flattened to elliptical cross section. The blade is long and narrow and primarily excurvate, but may be straight to recurvate on heavily re-sharpened examples. Some examples with long blades may have parallel sides on the blade. This point has deep wide parallel notches that may range from rounded to square and are low on the blade with the basal ears following the contour of the blade. The stem is expanded and typically the same width of the blade, continuing the the general outline of the blade. The base may range from concave (most commonly) to straight. Basal auricles (ears) may be square or rounded, but not pointed or sharp like the Graham Cave point. Basal grinding is light if present at all. This point is manufactured using large random percussion flaking with marginal pressure flaking used to finish the blade forming a random flaking pattern with most examples having a high quality of workmanship.
Size Measurements:
Total Length- 68 to 230 mm ( 115 mm average), Blade Width - 29 to 47 mm (35 mm average), Thickness - 5 to 10 mm (7 mm average)
Total Length- 68 to 230 mm ( 115 mm average), Blade Width - 29 to 47 mm (35 mm average), Thickness - 5 to 10 mm (7 mm average)
Commonly Utilized Material:
Available local materials and chert. Cherts are generally heat treated.
Available local materials and chert. Cherts are generally heat treated.
Additional Comments:
These points have been dated to two different time periods. Montet - White (1968) have dated these points from 4,000 - 2,500 B.P. which is consistent with the Old Copper culture in which they are associated with. Bell (1958) dates these points from 7,000 - 5,000 B.P. Justice (1987) states that this date is too early for this point. Cambron suggests a date similar to Bell based on the association with the Big Sandy complex in the Tennessee River Valley. Justice (1987) also feels that these points do not extend into the Tennessee River Valley. The different distributions and the difference in dates raises the question if there are two different points being typed as the same point.
Osceola points are virtually identical in outline to Hemphill points in Illinois, although they differ in workmanship and age. Hemphill points tend to be better made and are more recent (ca. 2500 to 1500 B.C.E.). Goldstein and Osborn (1988) consider Osceola points similar to Raddatz, Hemphill, Black Sand, Graham Cave, and Madison Side-Notched points (Morrow, 2016).
To confuse matters, the Osceola Greenbrier point is often associated with this point, However, that point is a Early Archaic point, and the variant with a basal protrusion may represent a transitional point from Paleo to Archaic which would be much too early to associate with this point. Further, the distribution of that point does not overlap with the accepted distribution of the Osceola point or the Old Copper Culture.
These points have been dated to two different time periods. Montet - White (1968) have dated these points from 4,000 - 2,500 B.P. which is consistent with the Old Copper culture in which they are associated with. Bell (1958) dates these points from 7,000 - 5,000 B.P. Justice (1987) states that this date is too early for this point. Cambron suggests a date similar to Bell based on the association with the Big Sandy complex in the Tennessee River Valley. Justice (1987) also feels that these points do not extend into the Tennessee River Valley. The different distributions and the difference in dates raises the question if there are two different points being typed as the same point.
Osceola points are virtually identical in outline to Hemphill points in Illinois, although they differ in workmanship and age. Hemphill points tend to be better made and are more recent (ca. 2500 to 1500 B.C.E.). Goldstein and Osborn (1988) consider Osceola points similar to Raddatz, Hemphill, Black Sand, Graham Cave, and Madison Side-Notched points (Morrow, 2016).
To confuse matters, the Osceola Greenbrier point is often associated with this point, However, that point is a Early Archaic point, and the variant with a basal protrusion may represent a transitional point from Paleo to Archaic which would be much too early to associate with this point. Further, the distribution of that point does not overlap with the accepted distribution of the Osceola point or the Old Copper Culture.
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
These points are primarily found in the upper and mid Mississippi River Valley and into the Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri river valleys. May also be found in the Tennessee River valley with decreased frequency.
These points are primarily found in the upper and mid Mississippi River Valley and into the Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri river valleys. May also be found in the Tennessee River valley with decreased frequency.
Age / Periods:
Date: 4,000 - 2,500 B.P.
Cultural Period: Late Archaic to Early Woodland
Glacial Period: Neoglacial
Culture: Old Copper Culture
Date: 4,000 - 2,500 B.P.
Cultural Period: Late Archaic to Early Woodland
Glacial Period: Neoglacial
Culture: Old Copper Culture
Age Details:
Similar Points:
Howard County, Logan Creek, Meadowood, Osceola, Otter Creek, Rowan, White River, Turin
Howard County, Logan Creek, Meadowood, Osceola, Otter Creek, Rowan, White River, Turin
Other points in this cluster / Related / Associated Points:
Howard County, Logan Creek, Meadowood, Osceola, Otter Creek, Rowan, White River, Turin
Howard County, Logan Creek, Meadowood, Osceola, Otter Creek, Rowan, White River, Turin
