Gary

The Gary is a medium-size point with contracted stem. Bell gives the size range as about 40 mm to 80 mm in length. This stem length is more consistent than the length of the blade. The cross-section is bi-convex. The shoulders may be horizontal or tapered and are occasionally rounded or expanded barbed. The blade is usually straight to excurvate, but may be incurvate or recurvate. The distal end is acute. This stem is usually contracted, with straight or excurvate side edges and a rounded to pointed basal edge. The blade and hafting area are shaped by broad random flaking. The blade edges are retouched by the removal of deep short flaks. This stem may be retouched.

The type was named for examples recovered from sites in Texas where it was referred to as the Gary Contracting Stem. There is considerable variation within the Gary type, and further study may lead to classification into separate types. Several Gary points were recovered from the Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter. Most of the examples were in the upper half of zone 8, that would indicate a Late Archaic to Woodland association. The Flint Creek Rock Shelter and Flint River mound also produced Gary points from both Woodland and Archaic Stratum. Jenkins (1975) has demonstrated Gary as the dominant projectile point type for middle Woodland in the central Tombigbee area.

Information for this article was derived from James W. Cambron and David C. Hulse, Handbook of Alabama Archaeology, Alabama Archaeological Society