The Snyders
point is a lithic projectile point which was named in 1951 for the Snyders Site
in Calhoun County, Illinois where it was first discovered. The point is from
the Hopewellian Phase, during
the earlier part of the Middle Woodland Period,
and is generally dated between about 2200-1700 years BP (Before Present).
The Snyders point is bifacial, with a shape similar to a spade on playing cards. Its average length is 55 to 75 mm, with a width of 40 to 60 mm. Its maximum thickness is 8 to 9 mm. The area between the notches has a width of 19 to 25 mm; the maximum inclination of the notches is 45 degrees.
A great degree of workmanship goes into making these points. The flintknapper takes a minimum of 5 or 6 bifacial thinning flakes off the core. Then a thick, round flake was taken from the corners to form the barbs. There is evidence of basal grinding near the stems, which are very short. The majority of reworking is shown on the barbs and base, with very little on the upper point.
The material used is usually chert. Snyders points are found most often in the upper Midwest of the United States and the south-west of Ontario. It is thought that the ones found in Ontario were imported. In the U.S., the Synder's points are most commonly found in Illinois, New York State, Indiana, southwest Michigan, eastern Missouri, and the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys.
