Savannah River point facts for kids

The Savannah River point is a special kind of stone tool. People who lived a very long time ago in the southeastern United States used these tools. They were often used as tips for spears or darts. These tools are from a time called the Late Archaic period.

What is the Savannah River Point?

The Savannah River point is a large, triangle-shaped stone tool. It has a flat, square part at the bottom called a stem. This stem helped attach the point to a wooden spear or dart. Even though it's big, it's quite thin. These points can be from about 4.4 centimeters (about 1.7 inches) to 17 centimeters (about 6.7 inches) long. They are usually between 3.5 and 7 centimeters (1.4 to 2.7 inches) wide. Their thickness is usually between 0.7 and 1.2 centimeters (0.3 to 0.5 inches).

How Was It Made?

Ancient people made Savannah River points by carefully shaping stone. First, they used a method called percussion flaking. This means they hit a larger stone with another stone or a hammer-like tool. This knocked off big pieces of the stone. After that, they used pressure flaking. This is a more precise way to remove small flakes. They would press a tool, like an antler, against the edge of the stone. This helped them create the sharp edges and final shape.

Where Are They Found?

Savannah River points are found mostly in the southeastern United States. They are a common discovery in this area. The first time this type of point was officially described was after finds at a place called Stallings Island. This island is an important archaeological site.

Different Kinds of Points

Even though they all share the main features, there are some variations of the Savannah River point. Experts have described a "Small Savannah River point." There are also types known as the "Cattle Run variant" and the "Otarre Stemmed variant." Another type is simply called a "short-stemmed variant." These names help archaeologists tell the different kinds apart.

What Was the Archaic Period?

The Archaic period was a long time in North American history. It lasted from about 8,000 BC to 1,000 BC. During this time, people were hunter-gatherers. This means they hunted animals and collected plants for food. They did not farm yet. The Late Archaic period, when Savannah River points were used, was near the end of this era. People were starting to live in more settled places. They also developed more advanced tools.