MEASUREMENTS: The lengths of 23 points from 23 sites in the Tennessee Valley range from a maximum of 86 mm. to a minimum of 47 mm. (average length, 64 mm.). The average width of these points is 24 mm. and the average thickness is 8 mm. (Soday and Cambron, n. d.). The measurements of the illustrated (autotype) specimen are: length, 61 mm.; width of blade, 26 mm.; width at base, 25 mm.; width of hafting constriction, 21 mm.; thickness, 9 mm.; basal concavity, 3 mm.
FORM: The cross-section is usually biconvex, but one or both faces may be median ridged. The blade is recurvate—constricted in the hafting area above the auricles. The distal end is usually acute. The auriculated hafting area is expanded-rounded. The basal edge is usually thinned and incurvate, but may be straight. The hafting constriction and basal edge are usually ground.
FLAKING: The shallow random flaking usually employed to shape the faces sometimes produces a median ridge. Secondary retouch flake scars are usually long, evenly spaced, and struck off on alternate faces, resulting in an irregular pattern along the blade edges. This retouch appears to have been accomplished with indirect percussion or pressure flaking.
COMMENTS: The type was named for the Beaver Lake area in Limestone County, Alabama, where many examples, including the illustrated specimen from Cambron (Pine Tree Site 76), were recovered. Most examples from this area are made from Ft. Payne chert, which is usually patinated to a chocolate brown color. The type has been called unfluted Cumberland in several papers, especially Soday and Cambron (n. d.). Beaver Lake points are found only on sites that produce early-man materials. An example was recovered from the bottom of Stratum III (pre-Archaic) at Flint Creek Rock Shelter (Cambron and Waters, 1961). Examples were recovered from the lowest culture-bearing stratum at Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter (DeJarnette, Kurjack and Cambron, 1962). All evidence indicates the type dates from 10,000 B.P. to an unknown earlier time. It is considered to be a transitional Paleo-Indian type.
BENJAMIN Cambron (This paper): A-118
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Benjamin is a large to medium sized lanceolate point with straight or excurvate base and excurvate blade.
MEASUREMENTS: Nine cotypes, including the illustrated example, ranged in measurements as follows: length—maximum, 100 mm.; minimum, 54 mm.; average, 66 mm.: width—maximum, 32 mm.; minimum, 22 mm.; average, 26 mm.: thickness—maximum, 12 mm.; minimum, 9 mm.; average, 11 mm.