The Levanna Point

Part one of a series from Connecticutarrowheads.com on Arrowhead Typology

 

Levanna Points were named for The Levanna Site, Cayuga Co. New York. By William A Ritchie, who was the New York State Archaeologist from 1949 until his retirement in 1972.

 

This type point is found throughout Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Virginia. Levanna points fall into the middle woodland period of the pre historic timeline.

The average size of the points I have found in Connecticut are between 1 and 1/8” and 1 and ¾” My largest to date is 2 and ½” long by 1 and 7/8” wide. These are very thin points measuring in at about 3/16” of an inch in thickness on average and finely chipped points using the pressure flaking technique.

 

Materials used to make these points were Quartz, Quartzite, Flint, Chert, Jasper and Argillite.

 

Levanna Points are Triangular in outline some are as wide as long, the blade edges are most often straight but can be convex and most have a very pronounced concave base. The concavity of the base leaves a Vee like shape at the base this makes the point appear to have very pronounced barbs. Some Levanna’s are not concaved at all and have a straight base. The Levanna point type is a true arrowhead in the sense of the word. Levanna’s where utilized during the middle to late Woodland time period. 700 AD to 1350 AD. The Bow and arrow during this time line had replaced the use of the atlatl. The bow had become the hunting and warfare tool of choice for Aboriginal man.

 

I have several Levanna Points in my collection with a unique feature in which there was a break placed seemingly purposely in the center of the base creating a tiny flat spot. I have found this feature on Levanna’s from a couple of different sites in Western Connecticut. I believe this was a sub trait of this point type, which deserves further study.  I have a couple of theories for the Levanna’s with this unusual flat spot. One could be they were so thin and propelled at such high velocity from Native American Woodland bows that they would perhaps split the arrow shaft upon impact, the small flat spot would help prevent splitting. Another, could it have been used on an arrow which was not tied with sinew but glued so it would dislodge in the quarry.

 

Perhaps it was just incidental and caused from impact rather than chipped on purpose. In any case it is on several of my Levanna points and worthy to note.

 

By Matt Dorso

 

References: Connecticut Arrowheads.com  Collection, Wm A Ritchie 71 and G.L Fogelman 88