MESERVE POINTS
Meserve points were first described from the Meserve Site near Grand Island, Nebraska. They are found in most parts of the Southwest.
Meserve
Meserve points are basically lanceolate-shaped. Upper lateral edges, which in the case of these points comprise almost three-quarters of the total point length, are typically straight. They are quite distinctive in being rather steeply alternately bevelled and they may be serrated. Bevelling is always on the right edge when viewed with the point tip forward; cross-section of the upper lateral edges at mid-section is rhomboidal. The unusually short lower lateral edges are straight or slightly concave. Meserve points are broadest either at the distal end of these edges, or at the base. The base is shallowly or markedly concave. Basal thinning is accomplished mainly by the removal of either one large flake or several narrower flakes parallel to the point long-axis, in a fashion reminiscent of the thinning of Plainview point bases. Less often, these scars are small and numerous. Thinning in some cases was by the removal of flakes at right angles to the point long-axis during initial retouch of the point faces. Average dimensions are: length 3.0 to 9.0 cm., width (base) 2.0 to 2.7 cm. Workmanship is generally good. Initial shaping as well as bevelling were likely by direct percussion. Initial flake scars are usually irregular. Basal thinning in some cases was probably by indirect percussion. Lateral edges may be secondarily pressure retouched. Smoothing is observed on both the lower non-bevelled lateral edges and in the concave base.
An estimated age of from 9,000 to 5,000 or even 4,000 years ago has been suggested for Meserve points. They are thus in part contemporaneous with, and have been found with, Plainview points. Meserve points are found throughout most of the Southwest, as far north as Canada, and in the Midwest states. They appear to be most common on the Llano Estacado.