52 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



which traces of the white man are absent. Then, when the general 

 characteristics of the Algonkian culture are known we may say with 

 some degree of assurance that a specimen is or is not Algonkian. If 

 it is not Algonkian, what is it? Does it belong to the later Iroquois 

 or does it belong to another culture altogether? 



An examination of the numerous Algonkian sites in New York, 

 and indeed elsewhere, demonstrates that the Algonkian culture was 

 not uniform. This is not strange when we remember that the great 

 Algonkian stock embraced many tribes and influenced this geographi- 

 cal area from comparatively remote times. It is natural to suppose 

 that certain tribes varied in minor particulars from others and that 

 in the process of time tribes may have changed some of their 

 customs. There is an abundance of proof that this process of cul- 

 tural change took place among tribes observed since the advent of 

 the European. Changes took place, it is reasonable to suppose, in 

 the eras before the white man came. 



While it is true that our knowledge of the various occupations is 

 incomplete, enough sites have been examined by competent observers 

 to afford some basis for compariison and identification. The 

 description which follows is a brief attempt to outline the character- 

 istics of the Algonkian culture. 



Chipped Points and Blades 



Chipped implements. Nearly all the periods of the Algonkian 

 occupation, where there was any considerable population, are char- 

 acterized by innumerable chipped implements of chert, quartz, horn- 

 stone and other flinty rocks. The material to some extent varies 

 with the location, the local rocks predominating, but favorite mate- 

 rials are not lacking; thus, even on the seashore where nearly all 

 the chipped implements are of pebble quartz, there are to be found 

 jasper and chert points also. 



Spear points occur in abundance and vary in size from 3 inches to 

 10 inches with occasional specimens below and even above these 

 measurements. Not only do these implements vary in size but in 

 degree of workmanship, some being crude and clumsy, others 

 revealing the skilled hand and eye of an expert. With the possible 

 exception of some knife blades and unfinished blank forms that if 

 necessary could have been used as spear points, all Algonkian spear 

 points and javelin heads are notched or barbed. 



Arrow points are numerous on all Algonkian village and camp 

 sites and along trails of this occupation. Like the larger points con- 

 sidered as spears, Algonkian arrowheads are barbed, or at least have 



