PAGE
1
DALTON
CACHE
EARLY
ARCHAIC
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
9,000 TO
10,500 YEARS AGO
PAGE 1
OF 1 PAGES
DALTON
POINT FROM CACHE OF 10
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
PRIVATE
COLLECTION |
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DALTON
POINT CACHE
EARLY
ARCHAIC PERIOD
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
This article illustrates 9 Dalton points that were reportedly
found in a cache in Jackson County, Missouri. For many years they
were in the Larry Van Bibber collection in central Illinois. |
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CLICK ON
PICTURE FOR LARGE IMAGE
DALTON
POINT CACHE
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
The
nine Dalton points pictured above are reported to have been found
several years ago by Ed Smith in Jackson county, Missouri. Another
Dalton point was also found with this cache making a total number of ten
points. The other point was broken and not kept with this main
collection of the points.
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DALTON POINT
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
PRIVATE COLLECTION
This is the third longest point in the cache. Some of the pressure
flaking is very uniform and parallel. This point measures 5 5/8
inches (14.2cm) long. |
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All
of the Dalton points in this cache are made of white Burlington chert.
Many Dalton caches seem to be made of this material. But some caches are
made of other materials such as the two caches from the Olive Branch
site that were made of black Pitkin chert.
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DALTON POINT
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
PRIVATE COLLECTION
This nicely flaked Dalton point has several pressure flakes that run
parallel to each other. The base is also well thinned. This point
measures 4 1/2 inches (11.4cm) long. |
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These
Dalton points range in size from 4 7/16 inches (11.2cm) for the smallest
to 6 inches (15.2cm) long for the longest. They are all above the
average size for Dalton points that have been found on sites in
Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois. Daltons have been found as small as
under 1 inch (2.5cm) long to as large as 15 inches (38.1cm) long.
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DALTON POINT
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
PRIVATE COLLECTION
This Dalton point is the longest one in the cache. The base
contracts slightly giving it the appearance of having slight
shoulders. This point measures 6 inches
(15.2cm)
long. |
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Most Dalton points
are small and were used as projectile points on the ends of darts or
spears. Longer points were used as knives that were resharpened by
beveling the blade edges. The largest Dalton points, measuring 9 to 15
inches (22.9cm to 38.1cm)
long were most
probably used as grave offerings.
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DALTON POINT
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
PRIVATE COLLECTION
This is the fourth longest point in the cache. It measures 5 1/2
inches (14.cm) long. |
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A
similar cache of Dalton points were found on the Olive Branch site in
southern Illinois by Bob Beasley. Thirteen points were found in that
group. They are also made of white Burlington chert and are similar in
style.
Evidence from excavated Dalton graves on the Sloan
site shows that Dalton caches are likely mortuary offerings and were
once buried with the dead.
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"REFERENCES"
1984,
Thompson, Ben, "Who's Who in Indian Relics No. 6," pp. 309 &
313.
1997, Morse, Dan F., Sloan: A Paleoindian Dalton Cemetery in
Arkansas."
2000, Onken, Bobby, "Legends of Prehistoric Art, Vol. 1,
p.151."
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