Definition of Terms

Most of the terminology used in this webpage are consistent with the standard terminology used to describe projectile points and other lithics. Standardization of the terminology allows for more consistent descriptions and understanding of everyone. This page uses the standardized terminology, with the exception of the shoulder edge. This terminology has been adopted in order to give greater descriptions of the blade at the area of the blade where it is hafted onto the shaft. Not all descriptions will include the description of the shoulder edge, but in cases where the shape of the blade does not give adequate description, the shoulders edge description will be used. For the remaining descriptions, only the blade will be described (note: on the older pages all points have a description of the shoulder edge, the new pages lack the table and have a written description).. Here is how the terminology is broken down.

Shapes: Projectile Points have been broken down into four separate categories; Stemmed, Notched, Lanceolate, and Other.

Auriculate: Auricle or ears are pointed at an downward angel

Side Notch: Notches enter the body of the point from the blade creating parallel notches.

Lanceolate: The blade expands out from the tip and then narrows back in towards the base. This type of point generally has a straight or concave base.

Stemmed: Stemmed points are further broken down into; Contracting Stem, Straight Stem, and Expanding Stem

Corner Notch: Notches enter the body of the point from the corner, or where the blade meets the base. This type of notch generally create a barb.

Stemmed: The stem is relatively straight from the shoulders to the base.

Expanding Stem: The stem expands from the shoulders to the base. The difference from a side notch may be stylistic, so if you are unable to find your point, check side notched points.

Contracting Stem: The stem tappers from the shoulders to the base. The taper may range from a slight taper to a sharp taper.

Basal Notch: Notches enter the body from the base of the point. This type of notch has long barbs.

Notched: Notched points are further broken down into: Side Notch, Corner Notch, and Basal Notch

Triangle: The blade expands out from the base to the base.

Lanceolate: Lanceolate points are further broken down into: Articulated, Lanceolate, Leaf, and Triangle

Leaf: also called ovate or egg shaped. This point expands out from the tip and narrows back in at the base and has a round base.

Bifurcated: Bifurcated points have a deep center notch in the base. The overall shape may range from stemmed to notched points. All bifurcated points have also been included in the search pages under the overall shape of the point.

Other Shaped Lithics: : This section includes many tools (drills, knives, scrappers, fleshers, etc.) that are not classified as projectile points, but are made of the same material.

Other: Other points include Bifurcated projectile points and other shaped Lithics