Early Man Projectile Points in the Southwest

by Kenneth Honea

BLANCO POINTS

To be counted possibly among the earliest projectile point types of the Southwest are what have been called Blanco points, named after the Blanco River of Central Texas. They were discovered by the writer, along with other stone and bone tools, in alluvial banks and other formations which in part may have accumulated during the Late Pleistocene. Lanceolate-shaped points from type localities are characteristically desert varnished and have been dulled and battered by being washed about in stream gravels. Heavily weathered points quite like those of the Blanco type have been reported in other parts of Texas and also in central and southeast New Mexico. They have also been recovered from a number of sites in Mexico and South America under circumstances that seem to suggest great antiquity. The eminent American archaeologist, Marie Wormington, has suggested that points much like those of our Blanco type may well have been the basic type from which later Early Man points evolved.

Blanco

Blanco points are lanceolate-shaped and are broadest at or somewhat below mid-section. The cross-section at this point is a flattened oval shape. Lateral edges are slightly rounded, converging to a point at the tip, while the base is round. The few known specimens range in length from about 4.0 to 6.0 cm., in width from 2.0 to 2.5 cm., and in thickness 0.7 to 1.0 cm. Specimens having dimensions somewhat in excess of those listed may be expected. Manufacture is by direct percussion and is not particularly well achieved nor patterned. Initial flake scars on point faces are irregular; point bases have been thinned by multi-directional flaking. Pressure working of edges is absent. Due to intense weatherings, it is not known whether Blanco points were basally ground.

Blanco points are associated in central Texas with the San Marcos Complex. They may represent a primary Early Man projectile point type. Undisturbed San Marcos sites have not been found as yet. Tools ascribed to this complex have been found only in secondary gravel beds at type localities along the Blanco River. It is conceivable that some of these formations may have accumulated during the Late Pleistocene. In view of all factors, dating of Blanco points relative to other Early Man points must await future excavations.