Sandia II Type Paleo Point - always save the best for last! Typology Unknown Hoxie Point
Paleo Period, Approx 9500 yrs BP See update updates below
Made of a creamy translucent flint.
Found in Hamilton Co.
Notes: I am not 100% sure of the typing of this point. I am sure it's paleo, but Sandia points are extremely rare. Most of the Sandia points known are in Museums. Named for the Sandia Cave site in New Mexico, this type was once thought to actually predate Clovis points, but that has since been re-evaluated.
This little point shows all of the traits of a Sandia, it is heavily ground, has only the one shoulder, collateral flaking and has a median ridge. However, I want to make sure I have accurate information here on this site. I will try to get this point authenticated by an expert who has at least seen another one, since this is the only point like this I've ever actually seen!
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IMPORTANT UPDATE - In a personal communication, based on the triple exposure photos of this point, Dr. Thomas Hester's opinion is that this specimin is probably NOT a Sandia point!
As noted in "A Field Guide to Stone Artifacts of Texas Indians" by Turner & Hester:
...Broken and re-worked Archaic points in Texas are sometimes mistaken for Sandia points by artifact collectors.
Dr. Hester's input is really appreciated since I respect his opinion as the best there is on Texas lithics. The Turner & Hester book has a tremendous amount of information on Texas artifacts. I now think this may be an un-named type of early corner notched point that is simply missing the shoulder. I have other ground stem points from the Hamilton County site that have one shoulder worked down, as well as several that are similar but have both shoulders intact. However, none of these are as well made as this point. As a group, I would place these points somewhere between the Uvalde and the Hoxie type. I will try to get them examined together and see what else can be learned more about their typing.
For the record Early Corner notched, Uvalde and Hoxie projectile points are all reported as dating to the Early Archaic period, approx. 4,000 BC (6,000 yrs. BP.)
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LATEST UPDATE - I sent this point to Dwain Rogers to see what he though. Dwain papered it as a Hoxie points. He did mention that it was exceptionally well made for a Hoxie, but he could see where the shoulder had been removed. Guess it was wishful thinking on my part. Not sure there even is such a thing as a Sandia point, but it's a good example of how complicated typology can get.
So that's the "rest of the story".
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