Name Details:
Named By: Howard D. Winters
Named For: Thebes, Illinois
Date Identified:
1963
Type Site: Wabash Valley, Illinois
Thebes
AKA: Cache Diagonal Notch (Winters)
Cluster: Thebes Cluster
Commonly Utilized Material:
Avon
Chert, Burlington chert, Bayport chert, Flint Ridge, Upper Mercer cherts
Date:
Cultural Period:
10,000 - 8,000 B.P.
Early Archaic
Early to Middle Holocene
Glacial Period:
Culture:
Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Diagonal Notch
Dogleg Notch
Square Notch
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a
medium to large triangular corner notched point with a flat to elliptical cross section. The blade may range from straight to excurvate. Heavily re-sharpened examples may have a recurvate blade. Serrations may be seen on the blade of re-sharpened examples. The blade is commonly beveled on the left side of the blade (Justice, 1987). The shoulders are barbed. The notch may vary depending on the point variation
(please see additional comments below). The stem is expanding. The base may vary from slightly concave to convex. The base has heavy basal grinding. This point
is made with broad percussion flaking still evident on both faces with
fine pressure flaking used along all edges forming a random flaking pattern.
Size Measurements: Length - 40 to 117 mm
(average 57 mm), Stem Length - 13 to 26 mm, Width at Barbs - 24
to 56 mm, Stem Width - 23 to 46 mm, Neck Width - 15 to 21 mm, Thickness -
7 to 12 mm, Notch Depth - 5 to 12 mm, Notch Width - 4 to 10
mm.
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
These points are commonly found in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and into eastern Iowa. This point is found with less frequency into Michigan, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, and the upper Ohio River valley. This point is rarely
found into Ontario limited to terraces and beach ridges.
Additional Comments:
There are four variations identified for this point by the University of Cincinnati in 1987.
1. Diagonal Notch - The notch enters the blade from the base angling towards the tip
- most commonly found in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.
2. Dogleg Notch - The notch is angled upwards and curved - most commonly found in
Ohio.
3. Square Notch - The notch is wide square notch that is angled upwards.
4. E Notch - This variation has it's own page, please see Thebes E Notch.
Point Validity: Valid Type
Winters is a distinguished
anthropologist who did extensive research in Illinois. He identified this point during the survey of the Wabash Valley in Illinois. This point was named in a professional publication and has many professional references. This is a valid type.
.
Age Details:
References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):
23, 30, 37, 180, W2, W11
Thebes Projectile Point, Thebes Arrowhead
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