(Pl. 23, d-e)

Two very similar pieces make up the addition to this class. Both are elongated, tapering sections of rose quartzite on which the margins have been retouched and the tip of each is notably abraded. The large ends show no evidence of preparation for hafting, so presumably they were used as a hand reamer or drill. The lengths are 6 cm. and 10 cm.

Hand Pick

The two new specimens, roughly triangular in outline, resemble the single piece recovered in 1947. On both, the working end tapers to a heavy, well-formed point, whereas the opposite end is bulbous and fits comfortably into the palm of the hand. Lengths are 9.8 cm. and 13 cm., respectively, with basalt and quartzite as materials.

Projectile Points

Since projectile points as a general class have proved to be the best criteria for establishing the stratigraphic differences whereby Topanga Phase I and Phase II may be distinguished, and because projectile points, to some measure, provide useful comparative data, it seems advisable to illustrate all the complete and near-complete specimens collected during both seasons.

With additional information some modification has been made over last seasons presentation. Here are included two groups of projectile points, each of which is associated with a definite phase of the Topanga Culture. Phase I is characterized by large blades and large points, most of which are composed of a highly patinated basalt and have been manufactured through the percussion or rough pressure-flaking technique (pl. 21, a-l). Phase II is characterized by small projectile points of the “dart” class which in material range through slightly patinated basalt, glassy basalt, obsidian, chalcedony, and chert. All have been finished in a rough to medium pressure technique (pl. 22, c-u). Totally absent in either phase is the light, thin, finely pressure-flaked “arrow point” of the historic or protohistoric periods.

Table 3

Frequency of Flaked Artifacts by Depth

Depth (in in.)
Type0-66-1212-1818-2424-3030-3636-4242-4848-5454-60Total
Side scrapers17812973371257321447
Straight-edge knives75424219123...21...196
Ovate scrapers91058111.........35
End scrapers111410824............49
Snub-nose scrapers815612...............32
Flake scrapers2520148213.........73
Cobble scrapers213...11............8
Concave scrapers3321..................9
Thumbnail scrapers1...........................1
Unifaced choppers4856332712333......185
Bifaced choppers15211711349147651...464
Core hammerstones3394224291549317189511,478
Total by level851829730312151423822922,986