Early Man Projectile Points in the Southwest

by Kenneth Honea

GOLONDRINA POINTS

Golondrina points were defined on the basis of specimens found at the Devils River Site on the Rio Grande in southwest Texas.

Golondrina points are of broad lanceolate shape. Upper lateral edges are usually markedly rounded. Lower lateral edges are characteristically recurved, resulting in out-flaring basal corners of ears. The base is quite deeply concave. The broadest part is at mid-section or a little beyond, towards the tip. Average dimensions are: length 6.0 to 8.0 cm., maximum body width 2.3 to 3.2 cm., and base width 2.2 to 2.9 cm. Workmanship is fine. Initial and secondary shaping and thinning was by direct percussion. Initial flake scars are irregular. Pressure retouch of edges is not obvious. Essentially, vertical basal thinning was accomplished by the removal of either one or a series of irregular flakes. It should be noted that thinning scars on occasional specimens may be quite narrow and parallel to the point long-axis. Both the lower lateral edges and the basal concavity have been smoothed.

Golondrina

At the type site, Golondrina points have been dated to about 8,000 years ago. Plainview points may be associated with them. Golondrina points have been found in north central, central, and southwest Texas and northeast Mexico. It is likely they will be identified in other parts of the broader Southwest.