Code: 2717
Description: A good-sized sub-triangular white chert stemmed point with a dull off-white patina. Some minor edge chips, otherwise condition good.
Size: 70 mm/2.7 ins. in length
Culture: American Indian
Date: Archaic, c. 8000-4500 years B.P.
Provenance: Ex Dr. H.A. Fawcett Collection.
Background: Dr. Hugh Alderson Fawcett (1891-1982) was a general practitioner and antiquarian who built up an important collection of ancient implements, weapons and ornaments that eventually numbered some eight thousand items. It was he who alerted the British Museum to the discovery of the fabulous Mildenhall treasure after being shown it by Sydney Ford during Easter in 1946. The bulk of his collection is now in the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, but Fawcett previously sold or traded many pieces in order to improve his collection. His distinctive monogram and careful recording of provenance makes his pieces readily identifiable.
Points like this would have been used to tip spears and darts thrown using atlatls (spear throwers). In North America, the best evidence suggests that bows and arrows were not introduced until about 1400 years B.P.
