Yesterday’s find MA: MERRIMACK Point

[MAMucker]

Here’s a grateful find -after beating the heat (95*) for 4 hours (brutal). This is a Middle to Late Archaic Period Point-(6000 to 3500 years BP-before present.

It’s made of a variety of Rhyolite that is common for this area in SE MA, and is a typical regional lithic used for many point types here. I’ve tried to capture the stem grinding in the photos.

 

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[Tdog]

Glad you scored. Too bad about the tip ding. Thanks.

 

[Charl]

Amazing that you could put in 4 hours yesterday. I'm quite nearby, and the heat index was 108 where I was. Heat index reached 120 a few miles west of me. Dew point was 79 degrees, good lord, our record is 81 degrees. Anyway, some folks are used to that in some regions.

Nice point. I always say the best person to make a call is the person who best knows the site he or she walks. But, if you don't mind another opinion, the size, side notching, and that prominent bulbous base had me thinking Lamoka more then anything else. But, in any event, a successful hunt beats the heat....

 

[arrow86]

That’s a nice one

 

[MAMucker]

Thanks Charl,
The heat was beastly. I soaked my hat in brook water three times.

I’m always open to your opinion.

I agree with your observations. It was with hesitation that I gave it the designation of Merrimack.

I liked Lamoka for this one too. Many of the hallmarks are there, but the base, although rounded, slightly bulbous and clumsy (again-hallmarks of Lamoka) is finished and marginally tapered.

That, and the stem grinding made me jump from the fence into Merrimack territory, where Stem Grinding is to be expected, according to Jeff Boudreaux.

All that said, (second guessing -with your assistance) the stem shape (round) is not compatible with Merrimack.

So, let’s go with Lamoka!

Now, ...does anyone have info on any example; or any mention of Lamoka Points found with ground stems?

 

[redbeardrelics]

Thanks Charl,
The heat was beastly. I soaked my hat in brook water three times.

I’m always open to your opinion.

I agree with your observations. It was with hesitation that I gave it the designation of Merrimack.



I liked Lamoka for this one too. Many of the hallmarks are there, but the base, although rounded, slightly bulbous and clumsy (again-hallmarks of Lamoka) is finished and marginally tapered.

That, and the stem grinding made me jump from the fence into Merrimack territory, where Stem Grinding is to be expected, according to Jeff Boudreaux.

All that said, (second guessing -with your assistance) the stem shape (round) is not compatible with Merrimack.

So, let’s go with Lamoka!

Now, ...does anyone have info on any example; or any mention of Lamoka Points found with ground stems?

Down my way I would call that one a Lamoka too. It looks like that flat spot on the base corner might be the cortex, if it were made from a cobble, or just an unfinished spot if it were made from quarried material, or a larger flake. The main diagnostic I look for on Lamoka's around here is an area on the base stem that is unfinished, or has cortex remaining. Many suspect that these unfinished and thick based points were intended to be hafted into holes or sockets, rather than between the two halves of a split shaft which suited thinned base points.
Nice find, and hats off to you for getting out in the memorable conditions and finding artifacts.