FLINT RIVER SPIKE, Cambron (DeJarnette, Kurjack and Cambron, 1962): A-38
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This is a small to medium, narrow, lanceolate point.
MEASUREMENTS: Fifteen cotypes (including the illustrated example) from University of Alabama Site Ma 48 (Webb and DeJarnette, 1948a) range in measurements as follows: length—maximum, 58 mm.; minimum, 39 mm.; average, 50 mm.: width—maximum, 21 mm.; minimum, 12 mm.; average, 16 mm.: thickness—maximum, 11 mm.; minimum, 7 mm.; average, 9 mm.
FORM: The cross-section may be median ridged or biconvex. The blade is usually excurvate, but may be straight with an acute distal end. The base is usually rounded, but an occasional example may display a straight, unfinished basal edge. The hafting area includes the basal area from the base to the widest point of the blade, which is usually less than half way from base to distal end. The base is usually thinned.
FLAKING: The blade and hafting area were shaped by random percussion flaking. Many of the flakes are rather deep. Some retouch appears along the edges, especially along the blade edges, of about half the examples.
COMMENTS: The type was named after Flint River Mound at the mouth of Flint River in Madison County, Alabama (Webb and DeJarnette, 1948a), where the illustrated example was recovered. Of the 41 examples from this site, 24 were from upper Zone A (Woodland), 14 from lower Zone A and Zone B (Woodland) and three from upper Zone C (Archaic). Two examples were recovered from Level 3 (Woodland) at University of Alabama Site Ms 201 in Marshall County, Alabama. Six examples (excluding material from the 100-foot trench) were recovered at the Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter (DeJarnette, Kurjack and Cambron, 1962): two examples were recovered from Level 1, Zone A, one each from Levels 2, 3 and 6, Zone A, and one from Level 1 of Zone B. Flint River Spike and Bradley Spike appear to be of late Woodland cultural association and may be typologically related. Unlike Bradley Spike, however, Flint River Spike has no stem and may be retouched along the blade edges. A late Woodland association is suggested for Flint River Spike in North Alabama.