Sumter

The Sumter point was named by Ripley P. Bullen for Sumter County, Florida. Sumter points are frequently found with and can be confused with smaller examples of the Thonotosassa point.

The Sumter is a medium-size point measuring from 2 to 3 inches in length. The blade is developed by broad random flaking to form a thick by-convex cross-section. The excurvate blade edges meet at an acute distal end where careful pressure flaking often produces fine serrations. The shoulders are poorly formed and often appear asymmetrical, as one shoulder is frequently very weak or removed altogether. The tang tapers from just inside the shoulders to a straight, concave or rounded basal edge. Examples with rounded basal edges are often referred to as “ovate” (Doran and Dickel 1988).

And “ovate” point described by Doran and Dickel was recovered from an Early Archaic component at the Windover site dating to 7442 years old. A Sumter-like point was also recovered at the Blue Springs site in Jackson County, Florida with several examples of Arredondo points. While no radiocarbon date was established for the Fletcher/Davis site, examples of Sumter points were recovered at the site in association with Thonotosassa and Newnan points (Waren 1971). This association may indicate their survival into the Middle Archaic period. Sumter points were also recovered in several sites in Marion and Alachua counties with Thonotosassa, Newnan and Marion points.

The heaviest concentration of Sumter points seems to be in the West-central part of Florida in Polk, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Marion and Alachua counties. Examples have, however, been recovered throughout northern Florida from Brevard County to Jackson County.