Commonly Utilized Material:
Varies depending on available material but commonly used materials include:  Antietam- Erwin Quartzite, rhyolite, slate, quartz, chert, jasper, chalcedony, and hematite.
Other Websites with Detailed Information:
Maryland_Projectile_Points
http://www.lithicsnet.com/savriv.htm
Name Details:
Named By:  William H. Claflin
Named For:  Savannah River area of South Carolina / Georgia
Date Identified:  1931
Type Site:
 Savannah River
Cluster: Savannah River Cluster








Date:                   
Cultural Period:   
5,000 - 3,000 B.P.
Middle to Late Archaic
Middle Holocene to Neoglacial

Glacial Period:
Culture:
     
      


Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:



Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:

This is a medium to large triangular stemmed point with a flattened to elliptical cross section.  The blade is primarily excurvate, but may curve at the tip and have parallel edges one half of the blades length.  The shoulders may vary from horizontal to having an upward slope.  The stem may vary from straight to being slightly contracting to slightly expanding.  The base is primarily concave with some examples having a almost straight base.  Basal thinning is commonly seen on this point.  Basal grinding may be light, but is not present on most examples.  This point has a random flaking pattern.

Size Measurements:  Total Length - 40 to 170 mm (60 to 100 mm average), Stem Length - 10 to 23 mm (14 to 16 mm average),  Blade Width - 28 to 77 mm (37 to 50 mm average),  Stem Width at Shoulders - 17 to 39 mm (21 to 27 mm average),  Basal Width - 16 to 35 mm (17 to 25 average),  Thickness - 10 to 14 mm
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:
This point is primarily found throughout the Appalachian mountain range to the Atlantic coast and from New Jersey down the coast into Florida.  This point is also represented throughout the Tennessee River Valley.
Similar Points:
Atlantic, Abbey, Arredondo, Bascom, Broad River, Elora, Fox Creek, Genesee, Gypsy, Hamilton, Johnson, Kirk, Levy, Maples, Piedmont, Seminole, Snook Kill, Swatara, Thonotosassa, Wacissa
Related / Associated Points:
Related / Associated Points:
Affis Snyders, Grand, Hopewell, Mackinaw, Manker, North Blade



Cattle Run, Savannah River Small, Rappahannock River, Stanly
Additional Comments:

There are regional differences in size.  Coe (1959) reports that most examples found in North Carolina average a length of 100 mm while Cambron (1962) report average lengths of 50 mm. based on examples from Alabama.

Whatley (2002) notes that later Late Archaic and earlier Early Woodland period stemmed points may be misclassified as Savannah Rivers points. Earlier Elora and Paris Island points have a narrower stem and commonly has an convex rather than concave basal edge.  Early Woodland types, such as Swannanoa and Small Savannah River, must be differentiated by size and ceramic associations.





Pictures:
Other points in this Cluster:
Appalachian, Hamilton, Holms (Savannah River Narrow Stem), Seminole
Point Validity:    Valid Type

Claflin was an amateur archaeologist who conducted expeditions throughout the United States discovering and cataloging archaeological sites.  This type was named in his publication on the Archaeology of Georgia and South Carolina and has many professional references.  This is considered a valid type.





.


Age Details:

Sassaman (1995) provides a date range of 4,150 to 3,800 B.P. based on the occurrence of classic large Savannah River points of the Mill Branch phase in the Central Savannah River Area.
Pictures Provided By:

Adam Reid
Lee W.
Greg C.
David Bennett
Kelli Armstrong
Michael Snow
Mitch Miller
Lisa Smith
Adam Burchfield
Rodger Holley
Christopher Cooper
The Sanfords
Fred Childress
Mike's Tennessee Arrowheads
Son Anderson
River Relics
Do you see information that is incorrect on this page, or do you have information that should be added?  If so, please:

or e-mail
Questions@Projectilepoints.net






References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):

12, 17, 23, 30, 37, 58, 59, 162, 167, W10, W11
Savannah River Projectile Point, Savannah River Arrowhead