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Name Details:
Named By: J. M. Adovasio
Named For:
Date Identified: 1976
Type Site: Meadowcraft Rockshelter, Washington County, Pennsylvania
Miller Lanceolate
(Provisional Type)
Cluster:
Commonly Utilized Material:
Date:
Cultural Period:
15,000 - 13,000 B.P.
Paleo
Late Pleistocene
Glacial Period:
Culture:
Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a medium to large lanceolate with an elliptical cross section.
The blade is excurvate with the tip curving in, becoming widest at the top third to one half, and curving back in towards the base. The blade may become almost parallel towards the base forming a "waist".
The base is straight with squared basal corners. This point has a collateral to horizontal flaking pattern and has basal and hafting region grinding present.
Size Measurements: Data Needed
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
This point is associated with Meadowcraft Rockshelter and the Cross Creek Drainage of Washington County Pennsylvania. This point may be found into surrounding regions.
Related / Associated Points:
Additional Comments:
Pictured below is the only Miller Lanceolate that was recovered from the Meadowcraft Rockshelter. This is considered to be the type point for the Miller type, but Adovasio felt that
this was a poor example of what the type originally looked like. This example is heavily re-sharpened and has been reduced greatly from what the original may have looked like. Based on partial examples
found in Cross Creek and the Karjacic site a drawing of what the typical points should look like has been drawn by Adovasio and is pictured below. Madsen (2004) argues that caution should be taken when
considering this even a pro visional type due to the lack of examples and that only a single example has radiocarbon dating.
Other points in this Cluster:
Point Validity: Provisional Type
Adovasio is a eminent anthropologist who is considered the foremost expert on prehistoric textiles and basketry. He has served in many prestigious positions including Director of the
Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute in Erie Pennsylvania. This type was named in a professional publications and started the "Clovis First" debate. Due to the small number of examples and the lack of
radiocarbon dating, this is considered a provisional type.
.
Age Details:
Radiocarbon dating from the Stratum IIA in which the only Miller Point was found provided dates of 11,300 +/- 700 B.P. (13, 350 B.P.), and 12,800 +/- 870 B.P. (15, 250 B.P.). (Madsen, 2004).
Pictures Provided By:
As Illustrated by Adovasio, 1976
References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):
Miller Projectile Point, Miller Arrowhead
