54 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



distinct necks and shoulders. No less than 40 distinct forms of 

 these arrowheads are recognizable, and into these forms are types 

 of variants that in some particulars resemble one form or another, 

 or several. The sorting of a large collection of points becomes a 

 most perplexing problem, and, for a time it seems that one is pur- 

 suing an impossible task. While many arrow points seem to be 

 individual and without previous or similar pattern, a close examina- 

 tion and comparison will usually fit the specimens into one or more 

 classes, to be determined by the shape of the neck, barbs, shoulders, 

 point or bevel. 



Frequently in sorting a large collection of arrowheads two or 

 more may be found that are so similar in size, shape and technic as 

 to suggest having been made by the same hands or gauged by the 

 same pattern. 



The Algonkian tribes used triangular points, popularly termed 

 " war points," but as a general rule did not make them with the same 

 degree of skill as the later Iroquois. In most cases, too, the Algon- 

 kian point is larger than the Iroquois. Certain Algonkian sites, as at 

 Owasco lake and Castleton-on-the-Hudson, yield triangular points 

 almost to the exclusion of other types, but these sites seem to have 

 belonged to the period of Iroquoian influence. 



Knives. Chipped stone knives are commonly found on Algonkian 

 sites. Frequently knives are confused with spearheads, and, indeed, 

 many knife blades might have been employed as spear points and 

 vice versa. The distinguishing feature of a knife is its curved edge. 

 Most knives are thinner than spearheads and have a more even edge, 

 which when tried by the thumb feels sharp. A spear may have a 

 rough or an irregular edge. Many knife blades have no notched 

 shoulders, and many of them are small ; some are oval, some round, 

 some lanciform and some petaloid. One type of the double-pointed 

 blade has one of the pointed tips slightly notched on either side, but 

 on unmixed sites these are very rare and seem to be the products of 

 another culture. Algonkian knife blades are made from better 

 material than spearheads and arrow points. The material is better 

 chosen and free from defective spots. Some very fine specmens of 

 knift blades are made from jasper, chalcedony, quartz and fine 

 grades of chert. Many are of unusual length, from 6 to 10 inches 

 or more. 



Scrapers. Scrapers are commonly found on sites of the Algon- 

 kian occupation. Several forms occur, due in some measure to the 

 different ways in which scrapers were used, as with or without 



