10,000 to 8,900 B.C.

   There are several obvious differences between many of the early fluted points found in the eastern United States as compared to examples found in the west. Even though most of these points are generally called Clovis by everyone except a few archaeologists who are specializing in the study of Early Paleo Indian stone tool technology, there are major differences. The differences might be compared to the Dalton Culture's projectile points and knives, but not as exaggerated. For example, there are many different styles of Daltons but they also vary in size from about 1/2 inch to 15 inches. The same can be said with Early Paleo-Indian fluted points. They also vary in size from about an inch to close to 10 inches and they also have several style variations.
   Clovis is still the oldest recognized cultural tradition and point type. But it is generally believed that there are older sites that were once occupied by even earlier cultures. Some archaeologists are theorizing that these people may have arrived here from the east while traveling across the north in small boats. The traditional view has always been that they came across land west of Alaska created by a lower ocean level during a period of glaciations. Many of these early sites, if they exist, are now probably underwater along the continental shelf where at one time approximately 2.2 billion acres were then above water!

Eastern style Clovis point cast.
Fulton County, Illinois
Maury Meadows Collection

   This Clovis point was found in 1981 by Ronald Beaird in Buckhart Twp. in Fulton County, Illinois. It was an isolated find and no other artifacts have been found on this site.
   This Clovis point has several distinctive traits that are seen on many of the early fluted points found east of the Mississippi River. For example, this point has a steeply concaved base that gives it sharper "ears" than the "classic" western type. The edges are slightly recurved or "fishtailed" unlike the contracting bases of many western examples. Both sides of this point also have very large, wide and long channel flake (or flute) removals unlike the multiple flake removals on most western fluted points. Plus there are no edge-to-edge or large percussion flake removals on this point as compared to many of the fluted points found in the western United States.
 The most striking characteristic of this point is the semi-translucent orange material it's made of. The material is called Hixton which is a Silcified Sandstone that was originally  collected on exposed sites in Wisconsin. This is one of the prettiest Clovis points I have seen. It's also a good example to illustrate one of the traits that help to identify a Clovis site. The Clovis people utilized the best cherts and chalcedonies to make their tools which also sometimes included the most colorful materials. The most exotic material Clovis people liked to use from coast-to-coast was optically clear quartz crystal.
   This point measures 4 1/16 inches long.

Eastern style Clovis point showing both sides.
This picture show both sides of the original artifact.