Crystal quartz typology

[Emaner377]

This was a Massachusetts find originally. .I found it in my mail box! Any idea on typology?

[willjo]

Looks like a LeCroy point not sure they are in your area,

[Von]

Looks like a worn Lecroy to me.

Von

[redrocks]

That's cool .. MacCorkle possibly.

[rock ON.]

I don't know the type but I love how its acting like a prism with the light in that photo.

[Emaner377]

A type of bifurcate possibly?

[SurfaceHunter]

Maybe try a pic laying down on a black surface so we can see it better

[Emaner377]

[CMD]

It looks like what's left of a bifurcate that's basically beat to hell, but made of a nice material. Who doesn't like crystalline quartz? At any rate, some of the bifurcates found in southern New England include Susquehanna Valley bifurcate, MacCorkle, Nottoway River, Lecroy, and our local variety, the Taunton River bifurcate, which is most common in the Taunton River basin, but found throughout our region as well.

Here's how Boudreau puts it in his New England typology: "Regional bifurcate base points appear in a number of styles. Some resemble recognized types from outside of the region. Variations within these types tend to overlap. As a result, it is difficult to say, with any degree of certainty, what type a particular point may be. There are, however, a number of general differences, demonstrated above(note: Boudreau illustrates all of the types I listed above). Yet, there are numerous forms which do not fit comfortably in any of the above groups."

So, our members have mentioned a couple of possibilities, but I would not get too hung up on particulars. It looks like a bifurcate that has seen better days. Perhaps Lecroy fits best, but you could just settle for bifurcate base. Usually considered a marker for Early Archaic in our region, but they may extend into the Middle Archaic here in New England.

[Emaner377]

Thanks for the responses guys..Charlie as always you're a wealth of information looking forward to showing you and Jay some of this collection in person

[Emaner377]

I'll post a few more pieces on this thread if not too redundant? This one again same collection
I'd say a little better condition than the other one
bifurcate base obviously but typology? Not going to get too hung up on that like Charlie mentioned

[Lindenmeier-Man]

I don’t know a thing about crystal. It’s beautiful though. I guess that one lithic material not found here or I’ve not found any .
The most exotic point I’ve seen Mikey ( Hunting Buddy ) found. It was made of moss agate ! It was Almost clear with tiny well defined moss in it . The find did hurt my feelers !

[Emaner377]

Definitely my favorite stuff too virtually impossible to find here as well..and then if you purchase points getting real ones is the next challenge

[Emaner377]

These two are pretty cool too bad about just being the base..enough material here to restore? Would it be worth while?

[CMD]

I'll post a few more pieces on this thread if not too redundant? This one again same collection
I'd say a little better condition than the other one
bifurcate base obviously but typology? Not going to get too hung up on that like Charlie mentioned

No, you can get hung up, lol. I said that earlier because I have very little experience separating types where bifurcates are concerned. But Jeff Boudreau just went with the general name "bifurcate base", which has always been the norm here in New England. Nobody ever attempted to use specific type names here. William Taylor, a collector from Ma, was the first to describe Taunton River bifurcate as a distinct type. Yes, Jeff showed examples he considered "Lecroy", etc., but he used the general heading "Bifurcate Base" on his pages describing this type. Taunton River bifurcate is not too hard to recognize, but I've never known area collectors to call any of them anything other then "bifurcate". But, somebody from outside our region might offer a specific name for you, which is cool. And yes, I do think you need to be very careful buying quartz crystal points.