Paris Island

Name: D.T. Elliott reported the Paris Island point from his work at the Russell Reservoir in Elbert County, Georgia.

Age: Elliott recovered Paris Island points from a context within the Russell Reservoir that dated to 4700 BP. Sassaman suggested a range of 4550 to 4200 BP based on the Paris Island phase in the middle Savannah River Valley.

Description: The Paris Island is a medium-sized point measuring between 43 and 73 mm in length.The blade is fairly heavy with excurvate blade edges that may be straight or serrated.The shoulders are weak and meet the stem with a rounded juncture.The stem may appear bulbous with a contracted hafting area or may be straight to slightly expanding with an excurvate basal edge.

Distribution: Paris Island points are generally found along and north of Georgia’s Fall Line.

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