Snapped Base Technology in Texas? A Point Of Contention

[MidlandMan]

I'm not sure about snapped base technology but this "drill" found on the Nueces River in Uvalde could change my mind. The break occures at the thickest part of the point and while hard to see in the photo the break edge is not sharp but looks dulled. I know in the states east of Texas it is more widely excepted. What say ya'll?

[jhaberer]

MidlandMan

JMO, but I’ve never seen any convincing evidence of intentional snap base technology in Texas. The closest, in my opinion, is Angostura and an occasional other early archaic where the base (usually) is the un-trimmed/thinned original striking platform.

Yours looks like an artifact that was used and maybe re-sharpened after it snapped, and not originally manufactured as such.


John h

[Rockit Man]

great question MidlandMan, we have talked about it and I have a couple of examples from My favorite site in Tom Green co. Texas. We found several knives we were calling snap base knives for lack of a better term before I even heard of such a technology. here are My 2 examples of the half dozen or so that were found.






the last photo has a good 1/4 in of cortex left is the reason it is not snapped cleanly in My opinion. in the 2nd photo the one on the left is 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. the one on the right is 2 and 3/4 inches long and 1 inch wide. the coin is the size of a penny.

[drdave514]

If I broke a piece I wouldn't necessarily throw it away. I'd rework it and use what's left if it's a good amount.

I'm not a "snap base" believer but I do think some pieces might have been continued to be used in some way.

[Cluton]

I'm with Doc, brokes IMO!! That were salvaged!

[comanche]

I can not say that I have seen any Intentionally Snapped Base points here in Texas.
Evidence on most Points I find that Appear to be Snapped base show Impacted Fracture flake scars that extend from the Snapped base up.Appearing to be thinned or fluted,But are actually just caused from being snapped while in the haft,,,,There is a big Difference In the Base of an Intentionally Snapped base and What happens when A point is Broken while in the haft.,
Rockitmans Examples shows this Clearly//////c

[ShowmeMoflint]

I often wonder about snapped bases.I do not think it was intentional snapped during the knapping process or while hafted. I believe the Indians would have worked it down to nothing just they always done for centuries

[Rockit Man]

thanks for the responses everyone. commanche you just made the light bulb turn on, that makes perfect sense.

[MidlandMan]

I tend to agree with the majority of what I've read and I respect the opinions presented from all sides but even if broken, ie; snap, bases represent salvage of otherwise viable artifacts then it must be considered as a part of a cultures lithic technological tool kit especialy when this pattern can be demonstrated to exist with some degree of frequency. Where to draw the line on the validity of such retooling as it pertains to a preconcieved and repeated execution based on a cultural inventory is were my catharsis exist.

[comanche]

It would be interesting to see Spatial analysis of snapped base Points and Esp. the regions and Time frame this was done Intentionally

As Mr. Capps has pointed out...It could have been more of a Necessary Management of Lithic Resources.
Here in Texas I suppose that the Abundance of Available Lithics negated the need to utilise so much of the material.////c