LOST LAKE, Cambron and Hulse (DeJarnette, Kurjack and Cambron, 1962): A-27
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This is a medium to large, corner-notched point beveled on one edge of each blade face and is rhomboid in cross-section.
MEASUREMENTS: The measurements of 11 cotypes (including the illustrated example, from which feature data were taken) range as follows: length—maximum, 81 mm.; minimum, 49 mm.; average, 63 mm.: shoulder width—maximum, 48 mm.; minimum, 35 mm.; average, 40 mm.: stem width—maximum, 32 mm.; minimum, 23 mm.; average, 27 mm.: stem length—maximum, 15 mm.; minimum, 12 mm.; average, 13 mm.: thickness—maximum, 8 mm.; minimum, 7 mm.; average, 7 mm.
FLAKING: The flaking used on the faces is broad, shallow and random leaving the faces flat. The regular retouch flaking used to bevel the blade was removed from one side of each face and often left serrations; much of this flaking appears to be percussion. One deep, broad flake was removed on each face to form the terminal end of the notches. Apparently small flakes were removed for about one-third the length of the finished notch before the large flakes were struck off. Some retouching was used to finish the notches. Shallow, relatively broad, flakes were removed in thinning the base.
FORM: The cross-section is rhomboid. As a result of deep, narrow, corner notches, the barbs are usually simple, long and may be rounded or acute; rarely, expanded. The blade is usually straight; rarely, excurvate or recurvate. The blade edges may or may not be serrated but are always beveled on one edge of each face. The distal end is usually acute but may approach broad. The hafting area is usually diagonally corner notched; rarely, diagonally basal notched. The notches, as measured along the stern side edge, are usually deep and narrow. The sides of the expanded stem are straight or incurvate. The stem base is thinned and may be incurvate, straight or excurvate. It is usually ground except on some straight-based examples.
COMMENTS: The type was named after the Lost Lake area in Limestone County, Alabama, where many examples are found. The illustrated example is from Hulse Site 14a, Limestone County, Alabama. At the Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter (DeJarnette, Kurjack and Cambron, 1962) an example from Level 6, Zone A, and one from Level 9, Zone A, were recovered. Examples from North Alabama are from pre-shellmound sites, and are usually patinated. This indicates an early Archaic association prior to 5000 years ago.