Ohio History Journal

THE FOLSOM PHENOMENA AS SEEN FROM OHIO

By HENRY CLYDE SHETRONE

It is only natural that interested individuals should, as they

frequently do, inquire as to what is new in Ohio archaeology;

and it is just as natural that they should sense a contradiction

when told that the newest thing in Ohio archaeology is, at the

same time, the oldest. This apparent anachronism, together with

the widespread interest in recent archaeological discoveries at

Folsom, New Mexico, furnish the excuse for this paper.

It may be assumed without question that the archaeologist

is familiar with the Folsom finds. Some readers of this magazine,

however, may not have had opportunity to acquaint themselves

with the situation and, for their information, the following brief

review is offered:

 

Near the village of Folsom, New Mexico, in 1925, certain

individuals reported the finding of a distinctive type of flint im-

plement, commonly designated as a spear-point, in association

with skeletal remains of an extinct species of bison. Subsequently

the site has been subjected to careful examination by scientists

identified with the Colorado Museum of Natural History, the

American Museum of Natural History and others. As a result,

there have been found additional flint implements associated

with fossil remains of extinct mammals, beneath undisturbed

strata of earth presumed to be of late Pleistocene (Glacial) origin.

Other scattered finds in the same region and in adjacent portions

of Colorado and Texas were reported, both before and subse-

quent to the Folsom discovery of 1925. More recent, and of ex-

ceptional importance, are the finds at the Lindenmeier site, in

northern Colorado. Taken together, these discoveries may in-

dicate later survival of Pleistocene fauna (bison, muskox, mam-

moth, ground-sloth, etc.) than had been supposed. Moreover,

they appear definitely to suggest earlier human occupancy of the

high plains paralleling the eastern slope of the Rockies and, by

analogy based on distribution of a unique type of flint implement,

(240)

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THE FOLSOM PHENOMENA                  241

 

of a broad trans-continental area covering most of the United

States. Summarized, this body of phenomena may be accepted

as indicating the existence over a wide terrain of a common cul-

ture horizon; a primitive pattern which, nevertheless, had evolved

admirable skill in the technique of chipping flint.

However far-reaching the Folsom complex ultimately may

prove to be, its immediate importance appears to attach to the

question of the antiquity of man in America. In this connection,

it may be recalled that, as a result of investigations covering the

several decades corresponding to technical archaeological activity

in America, there has come to exist a near-consensus of opinion

that the peopling of the western continents is of comparatively

recent occurrence; that prior to the recession of the most recent

of several glacial invasions (the Pleistocene age of geology; its

termination estimated variously as from 10,000 to 25,000 years)

the American continents were uninhabited by man. While en-

thusiastic students, and scientists as well, continued to look for

evidences of Glacial and even pre-Glacial man, many had become

convinced that the quest was hopeless. While the attitude of this

conservative group has not necessarily undergone radical revision,

the significant discoveries above referred to, nevertheless, prom-

ise to thrust back the human horizon--just how far back into

the past remains to be seen.

 

Up to the present, archaeological research in the Southwest

has been more or less detached from the remainder of the gen-

eral area north of Mexico, for the reason that the attendant

phenomena appeared to be rather definitely localized. Through-

out this general area, however, there exist the usual evidences of

the spread of culture through diffusion and borrowing as, for

example, in the burial mounds of the eastern United States, in

which frequently there are found raw materials from distant

sources, and exotic fabricated commodities, indicative of contacts

with various culture groups. Nevertheless there has been a dearth

of evidence of such contact as between the East and the South-

west. Intensive exploration over two decades in the Ohio field,

contrary to perennial expectation, has failed to indicate that the

inhabitants of either region knew of the existence of the other.

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242    OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

And now, from the seemingly inexhaustible Southwest comes

Folsom and the Folsom discoveries, suggesting a definite though

remote archaeological affinity and furnishing a common problem,

with which individual workers throughout a wide area presumably

may concern themselves.

The principal objective of this paper is to offer a prelim-

inary study of the Fluted Blades in the Ohio State Museum for

the benefit of those who may be interested. Secondary consid-

erations include an attempt to furnish a more satisfactory ter-

minology for designation of the complex to which they belong;

the suggestion that the generalized, widely distributed forms are

typical and that localized patterns are variants of the complex;

assumption of a more generalized use of the Fluted Blade than

has been advanced; questioning the justification of assuming evo-

lution of types on the basis of length of fluting; and, finally,

calling attention to the existence in Ohio, as well as in the High

Plains area, of somewhat similar forms of apparent antiquity

which present some evidences of relationship, as yet unproven,

to the Fluted Blades. No lengthy consideration of the Folsom

finds, as such, nor of the literature attaching thereto, is attempted.

The present purpose will be served by referring only to those

individuals more prominently identified with the concept and to

their published reports,¹ in which those interested will find ex-

haustive bibliographies.

Primary requisites to any discussion include a definite un-

derstanding by the writer as to just what he is discussing, and

some means by which he may convey to the reader an adequate

advance conception of his subject. As regards the phenomena

which cluster about the mooted word "Folsom," these prelim-

inaries are difficult of realization; not so much perhaps because

of difference of opinion as because of dearth of suitable term-

inology, or lack of agreement as to its meaning and use.

 

1 Jesse Dade Figgins, "Folsom and Yuma Artifacts," in Colorado Museum of

Natural History Proceedings (Denver, 1915--), XIII, no. 2 (Dec. 29, 1934); Etienne

Bernardeau Renaud, The First Thousand Yuma-Folsom Artifacts (Denver, 1934); Ed-

gar B. Howard. "Evidence of Early Man in North America," in Museum Journal

(Philadelphia, 1910--), XXIV, nos. 2-3 (1935); Frank Harold Hanna Roberts, Jr., "A

Folsom Complex," in Smithsonian Institution Miscellaneous Collections (Washington,

D. C., 1935), XCIV, no. 4.

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THE FOLSOM PHENOMENA                 243

 

Originally, Folsom signified a single type of flint implement

and the town in New Mexico near which the type was discov-

ered. By extension, it came to include analogous specimens found

scattered throughout adjacent districts of New Mexico, Colorado,

Kansas and Texas and, quite recently, the important finds at the

Lindenmeier site in northern Colorado. Finally, there are to be

included or excluded, depending upon the individual point of

view, a large number of strikingly similar forms termed Folsom-

like, occurring in almost every state in the Union.

Terminology is, or should be, subject to change as expe-

diency may require, and eventually a satisfactory nomenclature

will be forthcoming in the present troublesome situation. For

the purpose, then, of affording a temporary basis of common un-

derstanding in this discussion and pending substitution of a bet-

ter scheme, the writer ventures to make use of the following:

For the general pattern in its wider distribution, based on

the most distinctive and highly unique type of artifact, the term

Fluted Flint Blade Culture Complex is suggested; for type speci-

mens from the Folsom pit, those from the Lindenmeier site, and

from other similar sites as they may appear, the Folsom Variant,

the Lindenmeier Variant, and so forth, of the Complex. This

suggestion may appear to some as being presumptuous; but, since

eventually a way out of the difficulty must be found, any effort

to solve the problem should be accepted in the spirit in which it

is offered. Moreover, in addition to averting designation of a

country-wide phenomenon by the name of an obscure village, of

which there are several of the same name, the suggested ter-

minology is of general rather than local significance. The writer's

justification for use of the term "Fluted Blade" is given in a later

paragraph.

The type specimens from Folsom proper are nineteen in

number, of which one or two are entire, the remainder repre-

senting about equally the tip and base ends of Fluted Blades.

Specimens from the Lindenmeier site comprise approximately the

same number of fragmentary blades, mostly basal ends, together

with additional flint and stone forms not hitherto recognized. The

known number of "true Folsom points" for the High Plains area

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244    OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

is surprisingly small. Of the total number, as listed by Etienne

Bernardeau Renaud prior to the Lindenmeier report, only four-

teen exhibit the "squarish or wavy" basal concavity, characteristic

of the type specimens. The Folsom-like forms, however, are

abundant not only in the High Plains but eastward therefrom to

the Atlantic. Their number, in museum and private collections,

reaches into the thousands.

With this preview of the Folsom complex it should be in-

teresting and perhaps even profitable to analyze briefly what the

several authorities cited have had to say regarding its numerous

concepts. Just what constitutes a "true Folsom point," and a

"Folsom-like point?" To what extent are they related, if at all?

Is there any evidence of evolution from one to the other and,

if so, which is the older? What was the purpose of the type, and

the function of the fluting? And how was the latter made?

Jesse Dade Figgins makes no distinction on the basis of

form, other than by referring to the "best Folsom types," nor

does Renaud, except on the assumption of evolution from the

simpler to the more complex. In his typological classification he

includes all "grooved points" under "Folsom types"--those with

short and medium flutings as "a" and "b" respectively, and those

with flutings extending two-thirds or more of the length of speci-

mens as "c." The last named he considers to be "true Folsom

points" and these, he points out, are distinguished by having the

basal concavity "squarish or wavy."

Edgar B. Howard quotes descriptions of true Folsom points

by Figgins and comments on the generalized form as follows:

These "Folsom-like" points are generally leaf-shaped with concave

bases exhibiting a number of variations--some deeply concave, some shal-

low, and still others with a constriction just below the base forming a sort

of "fish tail." Most of them are larger than the true Folsom point, heavier

and thicker, and the chipping is never as fine. The grooving is more apt

to be irregular and to end more abruptly than on the Folsom point.

An early description by Frank Harold Hanna Roberts, Jr.,²

follows:

A true Folsom specimen is a thin leaf-shaped blade. The tip is

slightly rounded and the broadest part of the blade . . . tends to occur

between the tip and a line across the center of the face. A typical feature

 

2 Roberts, "True Folsom Points," in Literary Digest (New York, 1890--),

CXVIII, no. 4 (July 28, 1934), 18.

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THE FOLSOM PHENOMENA                      245

 

is a long groove extending along each face about two-thirds of the length,

which produced lateral ridges paralleling the edges of the blades...the

base is concave, often with long sharp points. There normally is a more

or less fine marginal retouching, a secondary removal of small flakes be-

tween the edges and the lateral ridge of the central groove.  Another

feature frequently observed is that of smoothed edges around the base and

extending along the edges for about one-third the length of the blade.

As a result of Roberts' investigation of the Lindenmeier site

he recognizes an additional form, distinguished from the type

specimens in that it is longer and more slender and has a tapering

rather than a rounding tip. In his later report, he recognizes two

main classes of Folsom type points--the true Folsom and a larger

more generalized form "embodying most of the characteristics

but not exhibiting the skillful workmanship or mastery of the

stone-chipping technique apparent on the true example."

As a preface to further discussions of these resemblances

and differences, and of the additional queries proposed in a pre-

ceding paragraph, the writer presumes to offer his personal eval-

uation of the Folsom forms:

 

In outline, what has been termed the Folsom point may be

described as lanceolate or modified shield-shape; in other words,

it is a pointed double-edged blade with a concave base. The fea-

ture, however, which differentiates it from all other chipped flint

patterns and renders it unique, insofar as is known, is a com-

paratively wide and shallow channel of varying length, extending

from the basal concavity toward the tip, on one or both faces.

Because the term "fluted," on the basis of authoritative definition,

rather than "grooved" best describes the scar resulting from de-

tachment of the longitudinal flake; and since, regardless of func-

tion, the form is preeminently a blade, it has become customary

in Ohio archaeological parlance to designate it as a Fluted Flint

Blade, rather than as a "grooved point." With the exception of

certain minor details which may well be attributed to local varia-

tions through space and time, this description applies alike to

Folsom proper and to the widely distributed Folsom-like forms.

The unique fluting, together with other major analogies, are suf-

ficient to justify the inclusion of specimens possessing these

attributes in a common widespread culture group or pattern.

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246   OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

This statement introduces the principal justification for this

paper. Acting on the assumption that detailed study of Folsom-

like material in the several states should be attempted, the writer

has segregated from the collections of the Ohio State Museum

all specimens of the forms indicated, in order that they may be

submitted to analysis and comparison. In addition, he has before

him replicas of the specimens from Folsom proper, as well as

the reports, with photographs and drawings of specimens, cover-

ing explorations at Folsom and other related sites. Realizing that

these reports, with respect to the Folsom-like aspect, are in a

sense preliminary and subject to revision, the writer has as his

only objective the desire to supplement existing information to

whatever extent the material before him may warrant.

Owing to its distinctive form and relative scarcity, the Fluted

Blade has been eagerly sought by Ohio collectors and because it

has defied regimentation as to use and cultural affinity it has in-

trigued the more serious student of Ohio prehistory. The diffi-

culty of fitting the type into the Ohio archaeological puzzle need

not be elaborated on; suffice it to say that it does not occur in

any of the several culture groups responsible for the erection of

the numerous burial mounds and earthworks of the State. As a

matter of convenience, and solely because it refused to fit in

elsewhere, it had become customary to consider it as just one

more casual member of the rather indefinite Algonquian--sup-

posedly non-mound-building in the area, and apparently under-

lying or antedating the more obvious groups.

The material in the Ohio State Museum which may be con-

sidered as pertinent to the present consideration consists of 140

Fluted Blades, and 215 unfluted specimens which appear to be

related. Of the Fluted Blades all are surface finds without fur-

ther data, with the exception of two, which were found in sites

of recognized culture groups but which apparently were intru-

sive. As a first step in the study of the type, locations of finds

were recorded on a map of the State. Measurements then were

taken of such specimens as are sufficiently intact for the purpose,

with this result for 118 specimens: Maximum length, 5.4in.;

minimum length, 1.3in.; average length, 3.1in. Renaud's computa-

• 7
 

THE FOLSOM PHENOMENA                   247

 

tions for the High Plains region show both forms therein as

somewhat smaller, with an average length of approximately 2.6in.

for Folsom-like and minus 2in. for Folsom proper.³

A prominent feature both of the Ohio Fluted Blades and of

those of the western area, is an intentional grinding and smooth-

ing of the edges of the posterior ends. This grinding varies from

one-fourth to almost one-half the length of the Ohio specimens

and is present in 92% of the blades examined. The significance

of this factor, and a rather surprising situation as regards the

material from which the types are fabricated, will be discussed

presently.

If the reader will pardon too numerous digressions, the sev-

eral queries proposed for consideration may now be reverted to,

in the order of their presentation.

From the sources quoted it will be seen that the form or

outline of the Folsom types, where it is referred to at all, is des-

ignated as "leaf-shaped" for both Folsom proper and Folsom-

like. There also is common agreement that the longitudinal

groove is an indispensable and most important characteristic of

each. Roberts and Renaud mention smoothed edges for the basal

one-third of some "true Folsoms"--a detail which apparently

has been slighted by most writers. So much for the features

possessed in common. The following are the principal distinc-

tions:

Renaud calls attention to the angular and wavy basal con-

cavities of the type specimens, as contrasted to the oval concav-

ities of the generalized form; this is borne out by the Linden-

meier specimens. Howard and Roberts agree that the generalized

form is larger, thicker and heavier, and lacks the skilled work-

manship and the length and regularity of the fluting of the type

forms. Some minor details which might be pertinent to an ex-

haustive comparison may be ignored in the present consideration.

With respect to the admitted resemblances, the only sugges-

tion that seems pertinent is in connection with the term "leaf-

shaped." One need not be a botanist to perceive that leaf-forms

are almost infinite. The writer has offered "lanceolate" which,

3 Only the more significant measurements are deemed essential in this paper.

These are expressed in terms of inches for the benefit of the general reader.

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248   OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

while not as specific as might be desired, appears to be more

definitive.

The suggested distinctions as between the two forms may

be admitted--with reservations. At the outset it must be realized

that specimens representing Folsom proper are exceedingly few

in number and for the most part fragmentary. Therein lies the

danger of basing conclusions on too scant evidence. The angular

or wavy base, for example, is primarily the incidental result of

clever application of a simple mechanical principle. That the

same base form is not apparent in all Fluted Blades may be be-

cause the residual projection following removal of the longitu-

dinal flake has been entirely obliterated by secondary flaking.

Nor is this type of base always confined to Folsom proper, as

shown by a specimen (Fig. 2) in the Ohio State Museum col-

lections, from the Laramie River Valley, Wyoming, the flutings

on both sides of which are only rudimentary. The fourteen speci-

mens listed by Renaud, plus approximately an equal number from

the Lindenmeier site, just about comprise the known angular and

wavy base forms. This admittedly is significant, but hardly con-

clusive for the complex as a whole.

The remaining differences--size, workmanship and length of

fluting--are more apparent than real; while they do obtain for

the few determinable specimens from Folsom, they are not so

marked for the Lindenmeier. Finally, it appears that whatever

important differences there may be between Folsom and Folsom-

like they are to be found only in the negligible number of the

former, and that, beyond these, the suggested differences cannot

be regarded as constant. Renaud notes that an occasional true

Folsom specimen exhibits poor workmanship, and certainly those

from the Lindenmeier site appear to be only average. Further,

it is to be expected that the type, in its wide distribution, would

show variation; and, as Renaud observes, the most frequently

used patterns are likely to be typical. The Ohio series of Fluted

Blades are of greater average size than the Folsom. Nevertheless

a number of them approach the Folsom minimum, displaying

equally fine chipping, and carrying the fluting on both sides the

full length of the blade. From this summary of opinion the reader

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THE FOLSOM PHENOMENA              249

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250  OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

• 11
 

THE FOLSOM PHENOMENA                  251

 

should be in a position to decide for himself what constitutes a

"true Folsom," a "Folsom-like point," and the relationship be-

tween the two.

In consideration of the evolution of types, Renaud finds

much evidence for the affirmative. Beginning with what he terms

Yuma types (to be commented upon presently) he postulates a

chronological development therefrom, through the short- and

medium-fluted blades to final perfection in the long-fluted true

Folsom form. This perfection, he feels, was carried to an ulti-

mate exaggeration, in which the extreme length of the fluting so

weakened the blade as to render it ineffective and to doom it to

abandonment.

Howard recognizes possible relationship between Yuma and

Folsom and suggests that certain implements of the former may

be knife blades of the latter. Apparently however he sees no

direct evidence of evolution of types from Yuma to Folsom.

Roberts contents himself with speculation as to whether the gen-

eralized form indicates an earlier phase which reached its perfec-

tion in the true Folsom, or whether it represents a degenerate

and later variation. He appears to recognize this problem as iden-

tified with another--that of diffusion of the generalized type,

whether it traveled south along the Cordillera, then spreading

east and north, or whether the two forms are off-shoots from an

original basic type which spread along two separate lines, one

skirting the eastern slopes of the mountains, the other moving

eastward and then south.

Roberts' discoveries at the Lindenmeier site, which include,

besides Fluted Blades, a number of additional forms in flint and

stone, is the only known index to the component artifacts of the

complex. Since the Yuma types were absent therefrom, it may

be assumed that definite relationship between the two remains

to be demonstrated.

Renaud's assumption of evolution of types on the basis of

length of fluting appears to the writer to be somewhat illogical.

It may be safely assumed that the fluting of the ideal Folsom

blade approached maximum length, but knowledge of the me-

chanics of flint-chipping demonstrates that this feature could not

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252   OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

be definitely controlled or calculated in advance. No two objec-

tive pieces of material in the hands of the primitive artisan pos-

sessed the same potentialities; a fluting intended to reach two-

thirds the length of the specimen might conceivably continue to

its very tip, with resultant weakening of the implement. On the

other hand, attempts to limit the length of fluting, or lack of skill

in applying the technique, might result in too short a flake.

In the latter contingency there was little or no recourse,

since detachment of a flake must have its inception at the edge

or margin of a specimen. Length of groove, therefore, is de-

pendent on several factors--physical properties of the objective

material; uncertainty of the technique; skill of the individual

artisan; and (from the standpoint of function, perhaps more im-

portant than has been suspected) length of fluting actually desired

for a given specimen.

The next consideration has to do with the function of the

Fluted Blade and the purpose of the fluting. It has become cus-

tomary to refer to the Folsom specimens as "points" or "spear-

points." Renaud speaks of them as "weapon points," while How-

ard uses the term "projectile points," as adapted to use with a

spear, dart or arrow, and reflects the generalization of primitive

culture by remarking that "This question of whether an artifact

is an arrowpoint, spearpoint or knife, has always vexed archae-

ologists." He refers to the general belief that the bow and

arrow came into use in America comparatively late and for this

reason he is inclined to disregard the Folsom blades as arrow-

points. This view is strengthened by the fact that the Fluted

Blades as a class are perhaps overlarge for such use, and by the

further fact that the Lindenmeier discoveries appear to add to

the belief that the complex is attributable to a late paleolithic

phase.

Granted that in the main the Fluted Blade served as a pro-

jectile point, in any one of the several ways suggested, the writer

is inclined to feel that, on the basis of his study of the Ohio

specimens, they may have had an additional important function.

As previously stated, 92% of those in the Ohio State Museum

collections have the edges ground or smoothed. That this smooth-

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THE FOLSOM PHENOMENA                  253

ing was intentional is shown by the fact that the ground edges

conform to a straight line, as a result of purposeful abrading

and as contrasted to the unevenness of accidental wear. This fact,

together with the careful workmanship on many specimens, shows

that they were intended for continued use, rather than as tem-

porary utilities; in other words, as knife blades. Cutting imple-

ments were essential to primitive culture, and the function of the

channeling, which is next to be discussed, appears to bear out

the suggestion of their use as such.

Writers on the subject agree that the fluting on the types

of blade under consideration probably was intended to facilitate

hafting. Some minor suggestions, such as that the fully extended

groove may have served to lighten the weight of the projectile

are interesting, but hardly worthy of serious consideration. Since

the fluted blades lack notches, stems or other means of attach-

ment to a shaft or handle, it seems entirely obvious that the

channeling, in connection with the basal concavity, served this

purpose. The combination of the two would function admirably,

particularly in obviating side-play, such as would obtain in em-

ploying the specimens as knife blades, and even as spear-points.

The groove or notch in the handle or shaft, whether of wood or

some other material, presumably was fashioned to conform to the

flutings; the intentionally smoothed edges of the projecting blade

would avert undue wear on the thong or wrapping securing the

blade to the handle or foreshaft. Again, the generalization char-

acteristic of primitive culture would indicate more than a single

--perhaps even multiple--use of the type.

The queries proposed earlier in this paper, with the excep-

tion of the last of the several, now have been touched upon; not

exhaustively nor perhaps very logically, but to the extent, it is

hoped, that interested readers will be enabled to supply their own

more or less definite conclusions.

How were the longitudinal flakes detached from the Fluted

Blades? No other feature of the type has provoked so much

speculation and theory as this; and certainly no other is likely

so definitely to intrigue a greater number of interested individ-

uals. Space does not permit of adequate discussion of the matter

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254   OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

in the present paper, but the writer will attempt in a future

article to set down the results of rather intensive experimentation,

study and observation of the mechanics of flint chipping, as they

apply to the Fluted Blade.

A concluding observation is drawn from two widely sep-

arated regions--the High Plains and the State of Ohio. Previous

to this time only incidental mention has been made of the "Yuma"

types of flint implements, made known largely through the un-

tiring efforts of Renaud. Renaud, in common with all others

interested in the subject, has realized that the fluted type of flint

implement could not possibly represent all surviving evidences

of the culture group to which they attach, and naturally he has

sought for additional items. Absence of the Yuma types from

the Lindenmeier site, while not to be taken as conclusive, suggests

that relationship, if such exists, is decidedly remote, and that evo-

lution from Yuma to Folsom forms would hardly have been so

abrupt as to eliminate all apparent evidences of the transition.

The Yuma forms, incidentally, are represented mainly by

three types of lanceolate blades, none of which is fluted; the sim-

pler form is an unmodified lanceolate blade; a second carries the

conventional stemmed base, boldly fashioned or at times only

embryonic and--oddly enough for America--an occasional form

of the latter in which the stem treatment is unilateral.

With this picture in mind, attention may be turned to Ohio,

where a somewhat similar situation exists. Reference was had

in a preceding page to a number of Ohio specimens apparently

related to the Fluted Blades. These specimens are noticeably

similar to Renaud's Yuma types, with the exception of the form

bearing the unilateral notch or stem modification. (See Fig. 2.)

They number 215 specimens, as compared with 140 of the fluted

type. The factors which suggest possible relationship with the

Fluted Blades are corresponding shapes (minus the fluting) for

certain specimens, and the fact that the two forms possess in

common the intentional smoothing of the basal edges. Location

of finds, recorded on an Ohio map alongside the data for the

first-named, shows a surprising correspondence in distribution.

Measurements demonstrated only slight difference in dimensions,

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THE FOLSOM PHENOMENA                  255

the average length of the unfluted forms, for example, being

2.9in. as compared with 3.1in. for the fluted. The percentage of

smoothed edges for the former is fifty-six, and for the latter

ninety-two. These percentages may be compared with 87% plus

for Yuma and 85% plus for Folsom proper.

In viewing the two classes of objects in association, it be-

comes plain that certain of the unfluted ones are definitely of the

fluted type, with the fluting either delayed or considered as un-

necessary. The latter applies apparently to specimens already

sufficiently thin at the base for purposes of attachment. Others

are plain lanceolate forms, often exhibiting skillful chipping, but

without apparent provision for hafting.

It remained for a comparison of materials from which the

types were fabricated to furnish a definite surprise and to pro-

vide what logically may be accepted as further indications of

relationship. While a large percentage of all flint artifacts found

in Ohio are made from material from the noted Flint Ridge, in

eastern central Ohio (exact proportion not ascertained, but prob-

ably fully 30%), it was disclosed that not a single specimen in

either of the two groups under consideration is attributable to

that source of flint supply. The material from which they are

fabricated is for the most part the so-called Upper Mercer flint,

widespread over eastern and southeastern Ohio, in color ranging

from light- to dark-gray, often mottled, to near-black. Whether

this indicates an intentional disregard of Flint Ridge, the most

important source of material for the known culture groups, or

whether the Ridge was unknown to this particular group, is a

puzzling query. The first surmise appears to be illogical; the

second, equally incredible, in view of the obviousness and acces-

sibility of Flint Ridge. Whatever the explanation may be, it in-

dubitably adds to the interest and complexity of the Fluted Blade

problem in its broader aspect, and emphasizes the need of inten-

sive investigation throughout the area in which it occurs. Out-

side the High Plains area the type has not been found associated

with burials or early faunal remains and its only claim to undue

antiquity is to be found in its unique form and its absence from

known cultural aggregates.

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256   OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

It is natural and proper to seek for origins and evolutions,

and too often in American archaeology they are hard to find.

Since nothing fully analogous to the Fluted Blade has been re-

ported for the Old World, it is likely to be presumed, temporarily

at least, that the technique of fluting evolved in America. The

problem should appeal to those who are inclined to credit the

spread of culture entirely to diffusion from a common center and

to discount the importance of independent invention. At any

rate, search for the type or its prototype in Asia should be stimu-

lated; perhaps the widespread pattern represented by the Fluted

Blade may be traced to an archaic invasion from that quarter or,

on the other hand, it may indicate a pre-archaic culture horizon.

Material evidences from the Lindenmeier site, the only discovery

so far furnishing anything approximating a cultural aggregate,

appear to indicate a paleolithic people; that is to say, a simple

stage of development, rather than the somewhat complex status

usually associated with the archaic.

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