Darrel Wilson, Manhattan, Kansas
On one of my many hunting trips I found the point featured with this article. What struck me most about the piece was the material it was made from. Since I was not familiar with lithic material and had not seen anything like it in local collections, I was quite certain it had been introduced into the area from a distant source.
In April of that year the Missouri Archaeological Society held their annual meeting in St. Joseph, Missouri. This provided a good opportunity to get away for the weekend, which the kids were all for, since it meant staying in a hotel.
Archaic point found by Darrel Wilson. The lithic material was later determined to be Alibates. From the collection of Darrel Wilson. Shown actual size.
I was interested in hearing the main speaker for the event, Dr. Richard Gramly. His topic was the East Wenatchee (Richey/Roberts) site in Washington State and the fabulous cache of Clovis points found there. This was also an opportunity to show my point around, as there were going to be archaeologists and collectors from a wide area present.
During the breaks I visited the collectors, but none had any idea as to what the material might be. That evening Dr. Gramly spoke, and after the meeting we met and talked. He was friendly and sociable and had a very positive attitude about collectors. I asked his opinion about the material. He felt that it was Flint Ridge flint from Ohio and went on to say the only way to be sure would be to have a laboratory test done. His opinion was good enough for me.
Finding a Flint Ridge artifact in Kansas really should not be a surprise when one considers Hopewell cultural materials found in the Salina, Kansas, area. In addition, my cousin found parts of a Hopewell jar rim in Washington County, Kansas. In 1986 I showed the sherds to Professor Patricia J. O’Brien, who said that this was the farthest north and west that Hopewell cultural artifacts had been found. The existence of this pot was probably related to the trade network the Hopewell had established to the west.
After looking at the point again, I was comfortable with Dr. Gramly’s assessment, and this article would have ended here.
Then a fellow collector from Ohio sent me a bag of Flint Ridge debitage. The material looked very similar, and I was satisfied that it was Flint Ridge material. Then a series of events proved that it wasn’t.
It all started when Dan, a local collector, mentioned his friend Jeb who was on his way to the “Clovis and Beyond Conference” in New Mexico. Another collector, Dick from Nebraska, also came to visit. I could not pass up the opportunity. I asked them for their opinions. They were not sure. Dick suggested checking it with a black light. At that, Jeb said that he had his and went to get it….
Group of Paleoindian and Archaic points from Kansas made from Foraker, Florene, Ripley Banded, and Burlington cherts. The point in the top center is a Hell Gap and is 3⅝ inches long. The point in the lower left is a 6¼-inch Stanfield Blade. Most are personal finds of Tom Wyatt.
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