Early Man Projectile Points in the Southwest

by Kenneth Honea

LAKE MOHAVE POINTS

Lake Mohave points were originally described from the Lake Mohave district of southeastern California. They were recovered from the surface and from ancient fossil beaches and terraces.

Lake Mohave

Lake Mohave points are slender lanceolate in shape with the broadest part above mid-section, about three-quarters up from the base. The upper lateral edges are slightly rounded. The over-all impression one has of these lower edges is that of a long tapering stem. Lake Mohave points may be faintly shouldered. Average dimensions are: length about 4.0 to 7.5 cm., width at the broadest part 2.5 to 3.0 cm. Workmanship, though well-achieved, is characterized by irregular initial flake scars, probably produced by direct percussion. Basal thinning was achieved by multi-directional flaking.

The estimated age range of Lake Mohave points is from about 7,000 to 9,000 years. It is probable this point type is related to similar types of the Southwest.