Mountain Fork

The Mountain Fork is a small, narrow, thick stemmed point. Eleven examples from sites in Madison and Limestone counties, Alabama measured a maximum of 51 mm; a minimum of 28 mm; with an average of 40 mm in length. The cross-section is usually bi-convex but may be somewhat median-ridged. Shoulders are narrow and tapered. Blade edges may be straight or excurvate. The distal and is acute. Nine of the 11 measured examples show impact fractures of the distal end. The stem is usually straight but may be tapered. The basil edge may be straight or excurvate and is usually unfinished, but may be thinned and is rarely ground.

Short, deep, random flakes were removed in shaping the faces of the blade and stem. Retouching of the edges was accomplished by removal of very short deep flakes. Local materials were used, especially Bangor Nodular Flint.

The type was named for points from sites along Mountain Fork Creek in Madison County, Alabama, where they were first recognized. The type appears in surface collections along with Swan Lake, Flint River Spike, and Bradley Spike points. At the Stanfield-Worley Bluff Shelter a few examples were recovered from the upper levels of zone A. This is an indication of a Late Woodland association at this site. This was a prominent type in zone A and B (Woodland) at Flint River Mound, especially in the upper levels. A few examples were recovered from zones C and D (Archaic) at this site. Current evidence indicates a Middle to Late Woodland association. Impact fractures on the distal ends of eight of the 11 measured examples indicate use of the type as projectile points.

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