About the Searches and
Listings
There are three different ways that you can search for projectile
points. The National Search, Regional Search, and by individual State
Search. In each of these searches, you may additionally search
alphabetically, or by shape of the projectile point. Following is a
little more information regarding the search's.
S
First is National. This listing is the most accurate listing of all the
methods. The disadvantage to this is that the listings are very large.
There are currently over 1200 projectile points and tools listed on this
page. Because of the number of projectile points listed in the National
Search, it may take a while to identify specific projectile points using
this type of search.
Second is Regional. This breaks the points down into the regions they
are found in. There are still many points listed and it may take a
while to go through. The other disadvantage to this method is that
some points may transition out within a region they are not listed. In
this case the point would only be found within a small area where the two
regions meet and not throughout the most of the region.
The third is by individual state. This is the easiest way to identify a
point. The listings are smaller and only apply to the area in question.
There are a few problems with this method. First, not every state has a
comprehensive listing (check references). For these states national
listings were uses along with distributional areas listed in books from
other states. In any state that a comprehensive list was not available,
local variations and area specific points may not be listed.
If you are trying to identify a point the best way to
accomplish this is start in the state that the point was found. If you
are unable to find it within the state then go to the region the state is
located in. If you are still unable to identify it check the region
closest to the state (the point my have been packed in, or could be in a
transitional area).
If you find a point in an
area that it is not listed please contact us. We will update the area
to better reflect the points located there. It is only through your
help that this resources can become the most comprehensive and accurate
listing available.
Currently not every point listed has a picture
with it. All points have an outline that gives you an idea of the size
and shape of the point. If you have a point that is not listed please
consider donating a picture of it. This helps others identify their
points in the future.