Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Name Details:
Identified By: Martin A. Baumhoff and J.S. Byrne
Named For: Sierra Nevada Mountains
Date Identified: 1959
Type Site:
Point Validity:
Valid type
Baumhoff was a distinguished anthropologist and serves as the Chair in the Department of Anthropology, University of California – Berkley. He conducted extensive studies into the archaeology of California. Baumhoff conducted studies into the Desert Series with Bryne. This type was named in a professional publication and has many professional references. This is considered a valid type.
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a thin small isosceles or equilateral triangular side notch point with a flattened cross section. The blade is primarily straight, but may vary to slightly excurvate. Many examples are finely serrated. Parallel notches are well below the mid-point and are narrow and deep commonly forming a narrow neck. The shoulders are horizontal with an expanded stem. The basal edges are commonly squared with a straight to slightly concave base with a center basal notch. This point is manufactured using percussion flakes shaped and finished with pressure flaking forming a random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements:
Total Length - 9 to 40 mm (average 17 to 26 mm), Stem Length - 6 to 9 mm, Blade Width - 5 to 15 mm (average 8 to 12 mm), Neck Width - 5 to 10 mm (average 7 mm), Basal Width - 10 to 19 mm, Thickness - 2 to 4 mm.
Commonly Utilized Material:
Agates, cherts, obsidian, basalt, and rarely glass
Additional Comments:
This point has a decreased occurrence in Fremont cultural regions. Points from this cluster replaced points from Rosegate Cluster. (Justice, 2002).
Martin A. Baumhoff and J.S. Byrne (1959) describes four subtypes to this point;
Delta, General (Desert Classic),
Redding,
Sierra.
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
This point is primarily found in the Great Basin, the Colorado Plateau, into the Sierra Nevada's in California, up into the Snake River Plain and into Oregon.
Age / Periods:
Date: 800 - 200 B.P.
Cultural Period: Late Prehistoric to Historic
Glacial Period: Medieval Warm to Little Ice Age
Culture: Apache, Hopi. Gosiut, Moki, Northern Paiute, Shoshone, Uroc, and many other cultures
Age Details: