FORM: The cross-section is usually flattened but may be biconvex. The blade is excurvate. The widest point may be at the base or somewhat below the midsection. The distal end is acute. Side edges of the hafting area may be parallel or slightly contracted. (It is difficult to define the extent of the hafting area on examples with contracted side edges.) The basal edge is straight and thinned.
FLAKING: Broad, shallow, random, flaking appears on the faces with fine secondary flaking along the blade edges and sides of the hafting area. Fairly long, often broad, flakes were removed in order to thin the basal edge. Local materials were used.
COMMENTS: The type was named after sites in Guntersville Basin of the Tennessee River where many examples are found. The illustrated example is from Cambron Site 12, Limestone County, Alabama. Six examples in association with Madison points, a stone disc and other artifacts were taken from Burial 6, Site Lu 92, Lauderdale County, Alabama (Webb and DeJarnette, 1942). Examples illustrated along with Madison and Ft. Ancient points, were described as Dallas component triangular points by Lewis and Kneberg (1946). Both Guntersville Lanceolate and Madison points were illustrated and described by Kneberg (1956) as Late Mississippi Triangular. She states, "In eastern Tennessee it is equally numerous in the Mouse Creek and Dallas Cultures, and occurs in smaller numbers in historic Cherokee sites" (1956). The type was classified as Type W in the Guntersville Basin where it appeared in association with trade goods in several historic burials. A burial at Lewis Bluff in Wheeler Basin of Tennessee River (Cambron and Waters, 1959a) yielded examples in association with Madison points, complicated-stamped sherds and plain, shell-tempered ware, an elbow-clay pipe and other artifacts. Two examples were recovered from the middle section of Stratum I and upper half of Stratum I (Woodland and Mississippian) at Flint Creek Rock Shelter (Cambron and Waters, 1961). Guntersville Lanceolate appears to be associated with late Mississippian and historic cultures in the Tennessee Valley. Kneberg (1956) suggests a probable date of 1300 A. D. to 1800 A. D.
HALIFAX, Coe (Coe, 1959): A-112
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Halifax is a small to medium-sized, side-notched point usually made of vein quartz or, occasionally, quartzite.
MEASUREMENTS: Coe (1959) lists a range of length from 56 mm. to 29 mm. with an average length of 44 mm. and a range of width from 25 mm. to 17 mm. with an average width of 20 mm. Measurements of the illustrated example are: length, 30 mm.; shoulder width, 21 mm.; stem width, 18 mm.; stem length, 9 mm.; thickness, 8 mm.; depth of notch, 3 mm.; width of notch, 10 mm.
FORM: The cross-section is usually biconvex. Shoulders are tapered. The blade is usually straight but may be excurvate. The distal end is acute. The stem is expanded with straight or incurvate side edges and straight or excurvate basal edge. The stem base edge and side notches of the hafting area are usually ground.