RUSSELL CAVE, Cambron (This paper): A-117
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Russell Cave point is a medium sized, expanded stem point with shallow serrations and straight blade edges.
MEASUREMENTS: Seven examples, including the illustrated specimen, from the lower G layer at Russell Cave in North Alabama provided the following measurements and features: length—maximum, 60 mm.; minimum, 44 mm.; average, 54 mm: shoulder width—maximum, 28 mm.; minimum, 21 mm.; average, 25 mm.: stem width at base—maximum, 24 mm.; minimum, 21 mm.; average, 23 mm.: stem width at narrowest point—maximum, 21 mm.; minimum, 19 mm.; average, 20 mm.: stem length—maximum, 20 mm.; minimum, 16 mm.; average, 17 mm.: thickness—maximum, 9 mm.; minimum, 7 mm.; average, 8 mm.
FORM: The cross-section is biconvex. Shoulders are tapered. The blade is usually straight; rarely excurvate. Blade edges are shallowly serrated. The distal end is acute. The stem is expanded. The side edges of the stem are incurvate and usually ground. The basal edge is straight, usually ground and may be beveled.
FLAKING: Shallow, broad, random flaking was used to shape the blade and stem. Short, fairly deep flakes were removed to shape and finish the blade and to form fine regular serrations. These were flaked alternately from opposite faces, making the short serration projections rather sharp. The sides of the hafting area are usually steeply flaked to form an expanded stem. The basal edge is usually thinned by the removal of broad shallow flakes, but may be rather steeply flaked.
COMMENTS: The type was named from Russell Cave in Jackson County, Alabama, where the seven cotypes were recovered from lower G layer. This was the deepest excavated layer and produced three radiocarbon dates: Level 17, 7565 ±250 years B. P.; Level 20, 8095 ±275 and 8435 ±275 years B. P. These dates place the type in early Archaic at this site. Distribution of the type is not known.