Nettling
Other Names: Kirk Corner Notched, Cypress Creek, Palmer, Charleston Corner Notched
Date Range: 8800-8200 BCE
Dimensions: These carefully made bifaces range from 29-90mm in length, 17-38mm in width, 4-9mm in thickness and 10-20mm in hafting width.
Shape: Triangular biface preforms were used to produce most Nettling points. The hafting element ranges from corner notched to expanding stem. Lateral edges are convex, with edge serration displayed on many specimens. Base configuration varies from convex to concave, and cross sections are lenticular.
Flake Pattern: The preform flake scars are broad and flat, which produced a thin biface. Edge serrated pieces display between 3 and 5 teeth per centimeter.
Material: Nettling points are manufactured from local Onondaga, Selkirk, Haldimand, and Ancaster cherts. Ohio cherts such as Pipe Creek, Flint Ridge chalcedony, and Mercer also appear.
Distribution and Cultural Affiliation: They are found in small numbers in Southwestern Ontario, and are most common in the Northwestern Erie drainage basin.
Notes: As with most biface forms, many specimens are extensively reworked. Certain of them display one convex and one concave lateral edge, suggesting a cutting (knife) function.
References: Fox, W.A., (1980) Nettling Points. KEWA 80-2, Justice, N.D., (1987) Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of the Midcontinental and Eastern United States