Fluted Points of the Far West provides the first large-scale overview of fluted points in the far western United States, including details of their attributes, trends in production, and range of variability. It serves as a compendium of groundbreaking research by the California Fluted Lanceolate Uniform Testing and Evaluation Database (CalFLUTED) project. Details regarding size, morphology, material, basal flaking technology, breakage patterns, repair patterns, manufacturing (as revealed by unfinished fluted bifaces), margin grinding, and flute scratching are provided through this research, both in terms of general trends and noteworthy exceptions.
Designed as a ready reference, these data are also summarized for each of the four sample states covered: California, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. Summaries introduce the history and circumstances of fluted point studies by state, a list of references for each state used in the CalFLUTED study reports, a comprehensive listing of the relevant CalFLUTED study reports, and a breakdown by state of fluted point attribute details as listed above.
Reviews and discussions cover a range of topics, including classification of fluted points, identifying flute scars, and indicative traits that a fluted point is not from the prehistoric Far West. Additional discussions cover hafting alternatives, fluted point dating, far western fluted point typology, and the likely direction of further research on a range of fluted point topics.
Over the course of twenty-one chapters, Rondeau discusses just about everything one might want to know about fluted points in the Far West. In doing so, he provides a wealth of data that will be useful to researchers interested in understanding how the region’s fluted point record fits into broader questions about the peopling of the Americas, population movements and the spread of technology, and lithic technology. In these regards, Rondeau has done a masterful job.
Geoffrey M. Smith, University of Nevada, Reno
About the Author
Michael F. Rondeau has worked as research director of the Archaeological Study Center at the California State University, Sacramento, as an archaeologist for the Office of Historic Preservation within the California State Department of Parks and Recreation, and for the California State Department of Transportation. He is currently the sole proprietor of Rondeau Archeological in Sacramento.
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction by Michael F. Rondeau
1. The Earliest Prehistory of North America by Michael F. Rondeau
2. Fluted Point Studies in the Far West by Michael F. Rondeau
3. Variability of Far West Fluted Points by Michael F. Rondeau
4. Far West Fluted Point Dating by Michael F. Rondeau and Scott P. Thomas
5. Identifying Fluted Points by Michael F. Rondeau
6. Evaluating Study Specimens by Michael F. Rondeau
7. Fluted Points by the Numbers by Michael F. Rondeau
8. Fluted Point Size by Michael F. Rondeau and John W. Dougherty
9. Morphological Trends and Variability by Michael F. Rondeau
10. Basal Flaking by Michael F. Rondeau and John W. Dougherty
11. Use Damage and Repair by Michael F. Rondeau and Nicole D. George
12. Unfinished Fluted Bifaces by Michael F. Rondeau
13. Margin Grinding by Michael F. Rondeau
14. Flute Scratching by Michael F. Rondeau
15. California Fluted Points by Michael F. Rondeau and John W. Dougherty
16. Nevada Fluted Points by Michael F. Rondeau and Daron Duke
17. Oregon Fluted Points by Michael F. Rondeau and Patrick O’Grady
18. Utah Fluted Points by Michael F. Rondeau and Nathaniel Nelson
19. Fluted and Other Far West Point Types by Michael F. Rondeau
20. Discussion by Michael F. Rondeau
21. Conclusion by Michael F. Rondeau
Appendix A. Artifact Illustrations
Appendix B. State-by-State Reference List
References
List of Contributors
Index
