This is a very distinctive point type that shares some characteristics with simularly dated types from other parts of North America. Style of workmanship is very good. Lithic sources were obviously important, and one would think they went to some effort to acquire the better flints and cherts, based on the quality materials these points are made of. Even though they are found throughout a flint rich area, often near known quarry sites, they were not quick to discard their points. The Early Archaic resharpening tends toward beveling on all four sides, often showing a right-hand bevel bias but showing some sharpening on all sides. Many Martindales were sharpened down to nothing but nubs, more than any other culture I've studied.

The unique characteristic of this type is the fishtail base. The slightly expanding base is formed by two distint convex curves, meeting in the center. This is more easily seen on some examples than others but is present on all Martindales.

I rarely see references noting that Martindale points have smoothed stems. The majority that I've handled seem to have at least some edge treatment or grinding of the base. Greg Perino does mention the smoothed edge bases, he also speculates there being an association between Martindales and Early Archaic types found elsewhere.

While these points are clearly Martindale, it is important to note the relationship between the Martindale and the smaller Bandy point type found from South Central Texas into the Pecos area. There is a geographic overlap of the two cultures, if indeed, they are seperate cultures. To my knowledge it is unknown if Martindale and Bandy were contemporary or succeeding cultures. Although I suspect the latter, I haven't found any proof that one was later than the other. Of limited evidence is a single, poorly documented, Central Texas site collection of classic Bandy type points that appears (to me) to be free of direct Martindale influence, although the much more experienced Dr. Hester considers it to be a mix of the two types. This site is almost in the middle of the Martindale range. This would be exceptional because even if the Bandy people decended from the Martindale Culture, most sites in the overlapping areas should show both types. A lot more study is needed on this before one can form even a slightly educated opinion.

Please click on these Thumbnails for Close-ups of the McLennan Co. Martindale points.

Martindale flaking	Impact Fracture.	Early Looking.
Classic Martindale	Slightly Serrated.	Needle Tipped.
Good Example.	Sharpened Down	Unique Varient.
Nice Beveling.	Early Use Stage	Fish Tailed.

References Cited:

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

Suhm & Jelks
"HANDBOOK OF TEXAS ARCHAEOLOGY"

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

Dr. Thomas R. Hester
Personal communications

Texas Collectors and Diggers
Personal communications

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