Early Man Projectile Points in the Southwest

by Kenneth Honea

SANDIA II POINTS

Sandia II points were discovered together with Sandia I points at Sandia Cave near Albuquerque, New Mexico. They differ from Sandia I points in a number of respects.

Single-shouldered Sandia II points are quite similar to those of the type Sandia I excepting details on the stem, base shape and certain aspects of workmanship. Instead of tapering to a rounded base, the straight-edged stem of Sandia II points contracts to a straight or slightly concave base. Workmanship is generally finer than in the other type, though achieved by the same means. Resolved secondary edge thinning is noticeable on many specimens. Sandia II points are also marked by vertical basal thinning, produced by the removal of a large, or several smaller longish flakes parallel to the point long-axis, anticipating perhaps the fluting found on Clovis and Folsom points. Vertical basal thinning is absent on points of the Sandia I type.

Sandia II