Clay

Name: Both the Clay and Lafayette names were given by Ripley Bullen for these types for Clay and Lafayette counties in Florida. The types have been combined here because archaeological evidence at Shell Point in Bay County, Florida, indicates that the point types are the same except for the barb shape. A cash of points were recovered having identical basal construction, but with variant barb styles.

 Age: Bullen believed Clay points dated to the late pre-ceramic portion of the Late Archaic period between 5000 and 3000 BP.

 Description: Clay and Lafayette points are medium to large measuring 1.75 to 4 inches or more in length. The cross-section above the barbs is lenticular, but becomes flattened at the barbs. Rejuvenation normally occurs above the barbs. The barbs seem to have been a specialized tool and are frequently found broken off, perhaps through prying to open oyster or clam shells. Georgia examples sometimes have a few serrations along the end of the Barb. Stem configuration can be straight to expanding with straight, excurvate, or incurvate basal edges. Basal thinning is often evident up the stem.

 Distribution: Along the southern end of the Fall Line.