![]() These points tend to be quite thin relative to their length, and in the best examples are uniformly flaked to create a consistent cross-section through the length of the blade, often not exceeding 4 mm in thickness (see Hoffman 1997:214-18 also see Justice 2002:307-9, despite the error in ascribed dates). Gatlin points are side-notched triangular points with elongated, finely serrated blades, horizontally oriented deep side notches that range from U-shaped to soft V-shaped, squared shoulders, deep basal indentations forming pronounced ears, and sharp junctures between the basal and lateral edges of the ears. This article presents a wider view of the Norton Allen points themselves and explores some of the questions surrounding them, including the identity of the knapper or knappers responsible for the most elaborate specimens, the source of the chert used, and the social factors implied in the use of the points in mortuary contexts in the Gila Bend area.Īny discussion of the Norton Allen points naturally begins with the numerous and striking Gatlin and Citrus points (figure 1). The two point types, commonly referred to as Gatlin and Citrus Side-notched, are common in the collection but represent neither the stylistic variation nor the range of workmanship present in it. 60, 78) these are reprised here in figure 1. Norton's projectile point collection is best known to most researchers through two commonly reproduced photographs of showpiece arrowheads that Norton had placed in Riker mounts (see Hoffman 1997:figs. ![]() In this article, I use the last three terms interchangeably to refer to Hohokam-era arrowheads. A spear point is a large point hafted on a thrusting or throwing spear, a dart point is a somewhat smaller point hafted on a dart thrown with an atlatl, and the terms arrowhead, arrowpoint, and projectile point generally refer to small points hafted on arrows for use with a bow. The terminology I use here is standard among Hohokam lithic analysts. And beside those were the hundreds of broken, fire-warped, fire-shattered, and not-so-well executed examples that have not yet been highlighted in published photographs. Points by the dozen, points by the hundreds, impossibly long, impossibly thin, impossibly intricate, impossibly voluminous, one after another after another. Every drawer sliding open, every box and box peeked into, was a revelation. My fifteen years of work with archaeological assemblages from all regions of Arizona and countless hours of poring over photographs of points in published reports were slim preparation for the sheer amazement I experienced upon viewing the collection in person. ![]() The projectile points in the Norton Allen Collection are, quite simply, breathtaking. ![]()
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