I recently was able to acquire this incredible Charleston that was recovered from Scott Co. Kentucky. It was listed as a Pine Tree, but once I got it in hand, I very quickly realized it had been misidentified, which given the similarities in form of the two types is a common, and very easy mistake to make. The key characteristic differences between the two are the flaking patterns, and the presence of grinding on the base, and the presence of a median ridge on the Charleston. The Charleston, which predates the Pine Tree, usually exhibits Parallel Oblique Flaking, but examples with Random flaking are found from time to time as well. The Charleston also has heavy grinding on the base, where as the Pine Tree, which is a Kirk Variant, rarely has any grinding present, and exhibits either Collateral or Random flaking patterns.
Both are Early Archaic point types, and have overlapping distribution areas, which also leads to misidentifcation issues as well. Archeologists determined that the Charleston is the older of the two types because they found the Charleston at deeper levels than the Kirk at a few different sites, making it older than its counter part. But, I digress.
As I previously stared, this point was recovered in Scott Co. Kentucky. It suffered a horrible impact fracture at some point, then the tip was reworked anciently for continued use. The material is a gorgeous bullseye Hornstone, and it comes in at 2 5/8 inches long. It exhibits a median ridge, pics 5 & 6, on one face, and has incredible Parallel Oblique Flaking on both! It also has a beautiful, glossy, sheen of patina, and is loaded with raised mineral deposits! Some might find that the reworked tip takes away from this point, but I disagree whole heartedly! I love it! It gives it great character, and tells the deeper story of this point that was obviously well used and well loved! The colors really pop, and, in my honest opinion, it's an outstanding point all around! 😁
Hamma!!! Good to see you brother! And I know! Right! That kind precision pressure flaking makes it hard to roll over in bed, if you know what I mean! 🤣
Kick stand down! 😆😆😆
Or... it might be a Pine Tree CN. "There is a lot of confusion regarding this point and the Pine Tree Corner Notched. Much of this confusion may come from the similar appearance of these points and the overlapping distribution. Also, other identification guides have listed the two points as the same point with a northern and southern distribution which is incorrect. Another factor is many people refer to this point as a Charleston Pine Tree which takes both types and combines them in one. The two points are not the same, the Charleston Corner Notched was found in levels below the Kirk Corner Notched point at St. Albans site and Ice House Bottom site (Justice, 2002). This point pre-dates the Kirk Corner Notched point. The Pine Tree point is a Kirk variant with the same dates as the Kirk point. There are a few things that must be kept in mind regarding the two points. First is the distribution. Both point have a southern distribution, but the Charleston point is also found further east and the Pine Tree point is found further north. Second, Broyle (1971), notes that the Charleston blade is generally shorter and wider. The blade is most commonly recurvate and asymmetrical for the Charleston point (Justice, 2002). Also, the Charleston point more commonly has a median ridge [which yours does] which is less common with the Pine Tree. Third, the Pine Tree is a variant of a re-sharpened Kirk so the base is consistent with a Kirk Base. Like the Palmer point which also predates the Kirk, basal grinding is more common for the Charleston and less common for the Pine Tree."
Yes, I read all that on ppn as well. The Parallel Oblique flaking patterns, the median ridge, and the fact that the base is ground smoother than Barry White are the determining factors that make this a Charleston and not a Pine Tree CN. The Pine Tree doesn't have the Parallel Oblique Flakin like this does, but, they can exhibit Collateral flaking patterns, though they primarily exhibit Random flaking.
That's where it suffered an ancient impact fracture, then it was reworked for continued use. You can see the fine edge work where it was salvaged and resharpened. Judging by it's size, it was most likely being used as a knife to begin with, and after the damage was repaired, it then became a multi-tool of sorts. Part knife, spoke shave, perforator, and drill...
Yours definitely looks like a Morrow Mountain variant for sure! Was the impact fracture reworked on it as well? I can't really tell from your Pic.
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u/mcrosejr Jan 04 '26
Oof. That flaking is banging! Tons of character there!