These points were all dug in a rock shelter together near Spicewood in Burnet county Texas. This is just off what is now the upper part of Lake Travis, on the Colorado river. This site collection has proven quite interesting to me being a student of the Central Texas early archaic. As noted by TURNER & HESTER the Bandy point is closely related to the Martindale point, being a somewhat smaller Southern cousin so to speak. They date Bandy at 6,000 to 8,000 YBP. Dr. Hester has indicated a similar age for Martindale. He has said that Martindale sometimes grades into Bandy and both grade into the later Uvalde type. Not surprisingly there were a few Uvalde like points in this site collection as can be seen in the frame, along with the other artifacts from the site.

Now that's what I call a bunch of Dandy Bandy points!


Close-up of one of the better examples.


A well re-sharpened Bandy.


This little guy is missing an ear.


Fire pops didn't really hurt this one.


What a killer if it had both ears!


Classic fishtail base on this bulls-eye flint point.


This point was found in two pieces glued together with calcium deposits .


A nice well sharpened example.


This one was turned into a drill.


Several of the examples are made of beautiful translucent material.


The Top Ten.

I believe most of the points featured above are Bandy, although many of them can easily be called Martindale. One thing that has certainly shown to be true is TURNER & HESTER's observation of a wide variety of shapes found in these points which tend to have been extensively re-worked!

Dr. Hester notes of the above points "A few of those I would reluctantly call "Bandy" (still adhering to my belief that that label should be used for the Lower Pecos version). Others are clearly Martindale, etc., etc. This is why, in 1971 (La Jita site report), that I suggested "Early Corner Notched" for these things..."

Well, it seems there are few absolutes in Texas Archaeology, especially in the Early Archaic!

The entire Site Collection mounted on felt backing.

I've added a photo of the entire collection as it came to me. Everything seems to be from Early Archaic context. Bandy, Uvalde and there were several Williams style points along with a nice Clear Fork tool. Notice the bone needles and the canine teeth. Many early people considered the wolf to be somewhat mystical and used wolf teeth and pelts for ritualistic activities. I acquired this frame almost 20 years after it was collected, but thanks to a quick history written on the back of the frame there is still much to be learned from it.

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References Cited:

Turner & Hester
“FIELD GUIDE TO STONE ARTIFACTS OF THE TEXAS INDIANS”

Gregory Perino
"SELECTED PREFORMS POINTS AND KNIVES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS"

Dr. Thomas R. Hester
Personal communications

Mr. Bill Arnold
Personal communications

Photos & Text (c) David Crain / Texasarrowheads.com


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