Another arrowhead similar in size to the 1″ to 1-1/2″ long Gunther point is the Wintu. It shares many characteristics, the needle point, the sometimes serrated edges, the sharp corner barbed shape.
The primary difference between the Wintu and the Gunther is the shape of the tang which is used to mount the point on the arrow shaft.
In the Gunther point, the tang is usually a constricting, almost pointed shape, narrower at the very base. This shape results from the use of wide-based notches removed from the base edge of the point.
However, in the Wintu point the tang is made by long, narrow notches coming in toward the middle of the point from the corners or from the outer portion of the base line. This results in a flared, wider base to the tang. Sometimes, as in a gray obsidian example found by Jennifer Peterson in Siskiyou County, in far northern California in 1975, the notches are made from the very corners of the triangular arrowhead form, and extend almost all the way into the middle of the point.
I have two other examples, found by Jennifer Peterson and Pat Welch in northern California in the 1960′s and 1970′s, which illustrate quite well the basic design and knapping skill of the Wintu point makers. One is a black obsidian, the other gray. Both show a more common form of the Wintu, in which the notches are started out near the corners, from the outermost portion of the base line of the point preform. On each of these finely serrated points one of the barbs has been snapped off, perhaps at some time after they were made, possibly when used in hunts.
Aside from the single barb broken off, the points are in perfect condition, with amazingly sharp needle tips and wicked looking tiny serrations along the full length of the points’ edges. All of this work was done on arrowheads which measure barely 1 to 1-1/4 inches long and 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch in width. The tool tips used in the knapping were small enough to make 1/32 inch or less in width serrations!
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Copyright 2009, all rights reserved. F. Scott Crawford, Carrollton, Texas, USA
F. Scott Crawford is the editor and publisher of the monthly e-magazine “Arrowhead Collecting On The Web”. “Arrowhead Collecting On The Web” provides an on-going series of articles and graphic presentations of information related to the many different aspects of finding and learning about the relics of previous cultures which remain to be found today. With a special focus on internet based resources for finding and collecting and understanding authentic ancient artifacts such as arrowheads. The editorial objective of “Arrowhead Collecting On The Web” is to help readers become long-term, even serious collectors of arrowheads, over the years to come. Subscription information for this unique monthly e-magazine is available at http://www.ArrowheadCollectingOnTheWeb.com/ACOTW-Subscription-Info.html
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Keri shooting my compound bow… into the street HD
