Big Ole Fluted Point

Charl · Dec 9, 2013

Those of you who subscribe to Indian Artifact Magazine(IAM) know that the November issue has a cover story about the Sugarloaf Paleo site in Deerfield, Ma. Here's the cover with a photo of editor Gary Fogelman holding the base of the largest fluted point found there in the Sept. 2013 dig by the American Society of Amateur Archaeology(ASAA), the organization run by Paleo archaeologist, and collector-friendly archaeologist Richard "Mike" Gramly. Also a photo of Dr. Gramly's 1995 monograph on the site. I had a chance this past weekend to see and hold the largest fluted point found in the New England states. Unfinished, but Mike said it "was close", and made of felsite. I'll post photos in a sec.

Charl · Dec 9, 2013

I could not pass on the opportunity to hold the largest fluted point known from New England. IAM shows it in-situ, and the tip was in place. The piece was not far down and was broken, not anciently, but by farm trucks driving the farm lane directly above the piece! The other 2 photos show both sides of this puppy.

creekhunter · Dec 9, 2013

Charl · Dec 9, 2013

This clip was shot last Saturday at the meeting of the New England chapter of ASAA. here Mike Gramly talks about the site. Mike makes you feel like you are an important part of the process of unraveling Paleo landscapes. He really respects amateur archaeologists and collectors and believes in sharing information with us.

New finds at Paleo Sugarloaf Site Update- Dec 2013 - YouTube

in the video clip, Mike holds a fluted point with part of the channel flake reattached. Here is that cool point.

GatorBoy · Dec 9, 2013

Great post

outlawatheart · Dec 9, 2013

VERY COOL Charl! thnx

mainejman · Dec 9, 2013

nice...those are so cool...I know paleo pieces are few and far between.Maine has a few known sites.Havent come across anything fluted but some of the archaic stuff is getting close to the paleo time period.Thanks for the look.

Charl · Dec 9, 2013

mainejman said:
nice...those are so cool...I know paleo pieces are few and far between.Maine has a few known sites.Havent come across anything fluted but some of the archaic stuff is getting close to the paleo time period.Thanks for the look.

Dr. Gramly excavated the Vail site in NW Maine. He believes the fluted point tradition persisted longer in New England because the caribou herds persisted later here. Here is the front and back cover of his monograph on Vail. Lots of fluted drills at Vail!

painterx7 · Dec 9, 2013

Great post thanks for sharing !!!!!

rock · Dec 9, 2013

Hey Charl why are the tips on most of those points kind of rounded instead of coming to a sharp tip? Trying to learn something new is why I ask.

Charl · Dec 11, 2013

rock said:
Hey Charl why are the tips on most of those points kind of rounded instead of coming to a sharp tip? Trying to learn something new is why I ask.

rock, if you mean the ones on the back cover of the Vail book above, some were being used as drills, others are more likely knives then projectiles.

rock · Dec 11, 2013

yes. and thanks for the info

oxbowbarefoot · Mar 24, 2014

I've hiked Sugarloaf many times. I Always wondered where exactly the paleo site is located. A few smaller fluted points have been found in the area. The Guida Farm site is one of the more famous, but I also read of a paleo site that was uncovered when Westover AFB was built. I know one person who claims to have found a fluted point in a field in Deerfield. Photographic evidence is missing :dontknow:

. Certainly, many more paleo sites dot the CT River valley. Some are sitting undiscovered near the surface, others buried under silt 20+ feet thick. I hope one day you get to find a fluted point even bigger than that one!

quito · Mar 24, 2014

Charl said:
rock, if you mean the ones on the back cover of the Vail book above, some were being used as drills, others are more likely knives then projectiles.

Those tips for the most part are all so similar I am thinking it was intentional.

old digger · Mar 24, 2014

Thank you for that interesting insight on the points and history that was found in your immediate area! :icon_thumleft:

Hope you are lucky enough to fine one of those too.

NC field hunter · Mar 24, 2014

I'd be scared to hold that piece. A brave soul that passes that hands that point over to another person. Cool post!!

Charl · Mar 25, 2014

oxbowbarefoot said:
I've hiked Sugarloaf many times. I Always wondered where exactly the paleo site is located. A few smaller fluted points have been found in the area. The Guida Farm site is one of the more famous, but I also read of a paleo site that was uncovered when Westover AFB was built. I know one person who claims to have found a fluted point in a field in Deerfield. Photographic evidence is missing . Certainly, many more paleo sites dot the CT River valley. Some are sitting undiscovered near the surface, others buried under silt 20+ feet thick. I hope one day you get to find a fluted point even bigger than that one!

Thanks. The Sugarloaf Site is on the Sanderson Farm. Yes, the Ct. Valley is rich in Paleo sites. The one below isn't fluted, but it's likely Paleo and was found in Deerfield.

NC field hunter said:
I'd be scared to hold that piece. A brave soul that passes that hands that point over to another person. Cool post!!

Lol. I kept thinking "don't drop it, Charlie, don't drop it Charlie..."

Charl · Mar 25, 2014

quito said:
Those tips for the most part are all so similar I am thinking it was intentional.

Tell me about it! Yes, they found dozens of these tools at the Vail Site in Maine:

redbeardrelics · Mar 25, 2014

Charl said:
This clip was shot last Saturday at the meeting of the New England chapter of ASAA. here Mike Gramly talks about the site. Mike makes you feel like you are an important part of the process of unraveling Paleo landscapes. He really respects amateur archaeologists and collectors and believes in sharing information with us.

New finds at Paleo Sugarloaf Site Update- Dec 2013 - YouTube

in the video clip, Mike holds a fluted point with part of the channel flake reattached. Here is that cool point.

Awesome Charl ! I never imagined that the platform nipple was so large, prior to being removed to make the flute. very interesting to see the striking platforms remaining on several of those point bases. Thanks for posting these.

NC field hunter · Mar 25, 2014

Charl said:
Thanks. The Sugarloaf Site is on the Sanderson Farm. Yes, the Ct. Valley is rich in Paleo sites. The one below isn't fluted, but it's likely Paleo and was found in Deerfield. Lol. I kept thinking "don't drop it, Charlie, don't drop it Charlie..."

I even handle broken morrow mt. Points with caution. I stopped allowing just anyone to hold my folsome point. I only open the case for individuals that know what they are doing.