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Bifurcate Base
Bifurcate points are distinguished by the presence of a notch or bifurcation in the stem. This basal notch can be broad or narrow, shallow or deep, but always present. These points are regarded as diagnostic of the Early Archaic Period. There are several varieties present in the Northeastern states. The Maryland typology guide does an excellent job of describing them and discussing their distribution range. Here are several entries from that guide of the more common bifurcate base points found in the Northeast.
Maccorkle(the oldest of the bifurcate points):
https://apps.jefpat.maryland.gov/dia...maccorkle.html
St. Albans bifurcate:
https://apps.jefpat.maryland.gov/dia...st.albans.html
Lecroy bifurcate:
Below are some examples from New England. The first one on the left was found in Dighton, Ma. In the Taunton River drainage. This drainage has the highest concentration of bifurcates in southern New England and the first two types on the left in this photo are known as Taunton River bifurcates, the 2nd example, directly beneath the penny, is from Kent Co., RI, well west of the Taunton River Valley. Remaining specimens in first photos are from coastal RI. Note the use of argillite or argillaceous slate, a very poor lithic indeed.
An unusual "eccentric" form from Providence Co., RI:
Bifurcate found at an interior RI site by member Jay Langlais in 2014.
Broad, shallow bifurcation on this nice example from a coastal RI site with a Late Paleo/Early Archaic component:
Maccorkle(the oldest of the bifurcate points):
https://apps.jefpat.maryland.gov/dia...maccorkle.html
St. Albans bifurcate:
https://apps.jefpat.maryland.gov/dia...st.albans.html
Lecroy bifurcate:
Below are some examples from New England. The first one on the left was found in Dighton, Ma. In the Taunton River drainage. This drainage has the highest concentration of bifurcates in southern New England and the first two types on the left in this photo are known as Taunton River bifurcates, the 2nd example, directly beneath the penny, is from Kent Co., RI, well west of the Taunton River Valley. Remaining specimens in first photos are from coastal RI. Note the use of argillite or argillaceous slate, a very poor lithic indeed.
An unusual "eccentric" form from Providence Co., RI:
Bifurcate found at an interior RI site by member Jay Langlais in 2014.
Broad, shallow bifurcation on this nice example from a coastal RI site with a Late Paleo/Early Archaic component: