Massachusetts find. (Atlatl point?)

Woodshunter80 · Apr 9, 2016

I was wondering if someone here could help me out with this point. I found it a couple of years ago while metal detecting a field in the Connecticut Valley of Massachusetts. I'm thinking it's an atlatl point, but I'm hoping someone can help pin down not just its usage, but also too its general age and possibly the geographic origin of the rock it was made from. The point is 2 1/4" in length and is razor sharp. Whoever made this must have been massively skilled. Too bad it broke at some point! ...Thanks for looking.

The Grim Reaper · Apr 9, 2016

Judging by the size it's more than likely a small Dart type Point and probably used with an Atl Atl, so in essence an Atl Atl Point I guess.

oxbowbarefoot · Apr 13, 2016

Very nice point. It's made of Normanskill Chert, from a source about 110km west of where you found it.

oxbowbarefoot · Apr 13, 2016

I think the style of point you have is called an Eshback Point. They date from the late Archaic period, 5500-3500BP. It could also be a Jacks Reef with a broken base. Those are the best matches I can find.

Woodshunter80 · May 24, 2017

I guess I somehow missed these replies when I posted this last year. Thanks for the information!

tnmudman · May 24, 2017

Thanks, i am aware of the restrictions by the corps, i would not risk digging into the middens, but they are an indication of the large population that lived along the river.I was thinking more of hunting the adjacent farmland,if i could be lucky enough to obtain permission.I did read about the great flood we had a few years back washing away many of them though,so i guess the artifacts are laying in the mud at the bottom of the river now.