by George Jachim, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Volume 65, Number 1, January 2018 Central States Archaeological Journal
Figures 1 & 2. The Hi-Lo point found in two parts in Ottawa County, Michigan.
On June 20, 2017 I was walking a favorite field of mine in Ottawa County, Michigan. Ottawa County is due west of Kent County, in west central Michigan. Grand Rapids lies within Kent County. As I was walking the rows of corn I came across the base portion of a point. At the time I knew it was much different from what I normally find. However, I did not think much more of it. It was only another broken part of a point. When I got back home, I followed my usual routine. I checked all broken pieces against pieces I had previously found. BINGO!!
No doubt about it; I had the perfect mate. What you see pictured here are the obverse and reverse of a Michigan Hi-Lo point (Figs. 1,2). It measures 1 ½ inches long, 13/16ths at the widest part of the shoulder and ¼ inch thick. The break is more prominent on the reverse. Noel D. Justice places this type point in the Late Paleo/Early Archaic time period. This was in the Great Lakes area; 8000 to 6000 B.C. The point type is named for the Hi-Lo site which is located in Ionia County, Michigan. This point was made from Bayport chert; a common lithic material found here in Michigan. Light grinding is found in the concave base. It is present on the ears and shoulder area as well. One shoulder has somewhat more grinding than the other.
Once I had taken the time to fully study my point, I knew I had found something special. At least, it was special by my standards. Next was to get another opinion. On June 22, 2017 I visited with Dr. Janet Brasher, Professor and Curator of Anthropology at Grand Valley State University. GVSU is the largest university in the greater Grand Rapids area. It has one campus in downtown Grand Rapids. Another campus is located in Allendale, Michigan. Dr. Brasher was very comfortable with this point being of the Hi-Lo type. She also agreed that Bayport chert was the stone of choice. Dr. Brasher also showed me two other Hi-Lo type points. They are part of the collection that GVSU has, so we could do some comparisons. My point is on the small side. Dr. Brasher has been a good friend for a number of years and has always made herself available to me. This is certainly one example of a fine working relationship between the professional and the avocational archaeologist. I have come to appreciate the knowledge and expertise that Dr. Brasher has shared with me. It is also worth noting that in the summer of 2014 Dr. Brasher and a team of GVSU students conducted some field work at this same site. My point was found there. However, their work was in a different area of the site.
This is not the first point found at this site. I have found about 60 artifacts found there. Lamoka and Brewerton are more common with scrapers, drills, hafted scrapers and blades also found. This point happens to be the earliest in the historical time line that I have found there.
This property is presently owned by a large farming operation out of Allendale. The owner has graciously allowed me a window of time in late spring. During this period, I can continue to walk this property and retrieve pieces of history. I originally learned of this site in May of 1994 when I met the original farmer and his family. They had already been working the farm for many years and he was a collector as well. I was able to view his personal collection on two occasions and it was impressive. We shared a common love for prehistoric artifacts. Because of this, he allowed me to walk his property. Eventually, the property changed to the current ownership.
This is the second Hi-Lo type point I have found; all items in my collection are personal finds. I feel very fortunate to have salvaged this part of history. Locating sites, finding pieces and documenting information relative to each piece all make for an excellent learning experience. Piecing together our historical past is fascinating and enjoyable. Here is another piece to the puzzle – or should I say two.
References:
Justice, Noel D.
1987 Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points of the Midcontinental and Eastern United States. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, IN.
Brasher, Dr. Janet
Personal communication.
Professor and Curator of Anthropology @ Grand Valley State University.