Early Man Projectile Points in the Southwest

by Kenneth Honea

RIO GRANDE POINTS

Rio Grande points were first defined in 1942 on the basis of surface collections of lithic artifacts from the Upper Rio Grande Valley.

Rio Grande

Rio Grande points are basically lanceolate in shape. Upper lateral edges are straight to gently rounded. They are broadest slightly above mid-section. Lower lateral edges are set off from the upper portion of the point body by very small shoulders, so that this point must be considered stemmed. Stem edges are consistently straight and taper slightly to the base. The base is usually straight, less often it is slightly rounded or shallowly concave. Average dimensions are: length 6.0 cm., shoulder width 2.8 cm., base width 1.8 cm. Some larger specimens are known. Manufacture is by direct percussion. Initial flake scars on point faces are irregular. Basal thinning was accomplished in the main by multi-directional flaking. Stem edges may show secondary percussion or pressure retouch. Stem edges are well smoothed; the base may be slightly smoothed or not at all.

The age of Rio Grande points has not been definitely established nor have associations with other early point types been ascertained. They appear to be related to the Hell Gap and Lake Mohave types.