LEDBETTER, Kneberg (Kneberg, 1956): A-53
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This is a large, stemmed point with asymmetrical blade edges.
MEASUREMENTS: The illustrated plesiotype provided the following measurements: length, 71 mm.; shoulder width, 36 mm.; stem width, 16 mm.; stem length, 13 mm.; thickness, 10 mm. The type "... varies in length from 3 to 7 inches and is usually thick (½" to ¾")." (Kneberg, 1956.)
FORM: The cross-section is biconvex. Shoulders are usually asymmetrical, with one being wider than the other. Shoulders may be tapered or straight. "The distinctive feature of the blade is its asymmetry. The side edges are usually recurvate, but the recurvature is reversed on the two side edges." (Kneberg, 1956.) The distal end is acute. The stem may be straight or slightly expanded. The basal edge is usually straight; rarely, excurvate and thinned.
FLAKING: The blade and hafting area are shaped by broad, shallow, random flaking. Secondary flaking ranges in extent from regular flaking along the sides to the faces with fine retouch along the blade edges, to practically non-existent secondary flaking on some examples. Local materials were generally used.
COMMENTS: The type was named for the Ledbetter Site in Benton County, Tennessee. The illustrated example is from Cambron Site 48 in Lincoln County, Tennessee. One example was recovered from Level 4 at the University of Alabama Site Ms 201 in Marshall County, Alabama. This indicates a late Archaic or early Woodland association. At the Eva Site (Lewis and Lewis, 1961) most examples appear to have originated late in the Archaic period. Examples were recovered from the Big Sandy component and Stratum II (top) of the Three Mile component. Examples are found on Archaic sites in North Alabama. Kneberg (1956) suggests a date of from about 2000 B. C. to early centuries A. D.