HELL GAP POINTS
This recently defined Early Man projectile point has been named after a group of quarry sites in the Hell Cap Valley near Guernsey in east-central Wyoming.
Hell Gap points, similar to many other Early Man types, are essentially lanceolate-shaped. Upper lateral edges are slightly rounded, while lower lateral edges taper in straight lines to the generally narrow, slightly to noticeably rounded, occasionally nearly straight base. These points are commonly broadest at mid-section, but examples are known which are broadest a little below this point. Lower lateral edges are offset from the broadest section to such a degree that one is inclined to consider Hell Gap points stemmed. Dimensions are: length 4.5 to 8.8 cm., and width 2.0 to 3.0 cm. Workmanship is not nearly as fine as on Folsom points. Flaking was produced by direct percussion, with occasional secondary edge trimming by pressure. Initial flake scars on point faces are irregular; basal thinning was accomplished by multi-directional flaking. The stem and base are smoothed through grinding; basal smoothing may be absent on some specimens.
Surface specimens have been found in many parts of Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Similar points are also known from California and parts of Texas. The most northerly known occurrence is Alberta, in Canada.
Hell Gap