Smith Point Cast

Among the finest made points in North America, the Smith point dates to the Late Archaic(around 3 to 5,ooo BP).  This excellent example was loaned to Occpaleo from the Pailler Collection for casting in 2011.  It was found by Tommy Nelson,  near Harrison in Boone County, Arkansas.  The Smith was named for examples found in northeastern Oklahoma, and it can also be found in the region of Missouri and Illinois.  This is a top grade specimen of the type, which is characterized by deep basal notches with a very square stem.  The flaking is done with wide well performed percussion flakes, and straightened with fine pressure flakes.  The raw material is an olive-brown chert, and it measures a large 106mm, with a width of 47mm.  (Stermer COA, Western Typology 08)