McKEAN, Wheeler (Wheeler, 1952): A-103
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This is a small to medium sized lanceolate point with thinned, incurvate base.
MEASUREMENTS: Nine examples from eastern Wyoming, illustrated by Bell (1958) after Wheeler (1952) provided the following measurements: length—maximum, 61 mm.; minimum, 35 mm.; average, 51 mm.: width—maximum, 21 mm.; minimum, 14 mm.; average, 17 mm.: width at base—maximum, 13 mm.; minimum, 11 mm.; average, 12 mm.: depth of basal concavity—maximum, 6 mm.; minimum, 2 mm.; average, 4 mm. Measurements of four points including the illustrated example, are: length—maximum, 60 mm.; minimum, 52 mm.; average, 55 mm.: width—maximum, 29 mm.; minimum, 17 mm.; average, 24 mm.: thickness—maximum, 8 mm.; minimum, 5 mm.; average, 6 mm.: width at base—maximum, 20 mm.; minimum, 13 mm.; average, 16 mm.: basal concavity—maximum, 3 mm.; minimum, 2 mm.; average, 2 mm.
FORM: The cross-section is usually biconvex, but may be flattened. Blade edges are usually excurvate, but may be straight or recurvate. The distal end is acute. The auriculate hafting area is usually contracted rounded, but may be parallel rounded or expanded rounded. The basal edge is incurvate and thinned.
FLAKING: Flaking used to shape the blade and hafting area is usually random but may be collateral. The side edges are usually retouched and the basal edge is well thinned. Some examples from Idaho (Neisler Collection) exhibit transverse oblique flaking. Alabama examples are made of local materials.
COMMENTS: The type was named from examples from sites in Keyhole Reservoir in northeastern Wyoming (Wheeler, 1952). The illustrated example is from Hulse Site 55 in Limestone County, Alabama. About 15 examples in the collection of W. E. Neisler, from the Snake River between Kamima and American Falls, Idaho, were observed and considered in describing this type (Neisler, personal communication). The Idaho points more or less parallel the Wheeler points in outline, but all examples are heavily thinned on the basal edge. One Wheeler point was observed in the collection but was made of flint and was on a site separate from the sites that produced McKean points. Most of the sites consist of "blow-outs" that cover an area of from one to ten acres. Bell (1958) lists radiocarbon dates from two areas, one from lower levels at Signal Butte, Nebraska (Wheeler, 1952) of 3500 to 4000 years ago. Other dates for sites in Angostura Basin, South Dakota, are 3630 ±350 and 4230 ±350 B. P. At Danger Cave near Wendover, Utah, examples listed by Jennings (1957) as Type W6 were found in Levels II, III, IV and V (uppermost) where radiocarbon dates of from 9789 ±630 to 1930 ±240 B. P. were secured. More examples were from Level V. As some examples of W8 (Wheeler points?) were recovered from the same levels (some A6s may be Wheeler points), this suggests that McKean points are derived from Wheeler points.
MONTGOMERY, Cambron (This paper): A-121
