A preliminary look at projectile point variability at the East St. Louis Mound Complex [presentation]

Excavations at the East St. Louis Mound Complex for the MRB project has resulted in the recovery of sizeable collection of projectile points, primarily from domestic feature contexts. A sample of projectile points from Terminal Late Woodland, as well as Mississippian Lohmann, and Stirling phase contexts were examined in terms of overall size, morphology, technique of manufacture, use-life history, and raw material. While the majority of the projectile points were locally made using regionally available materials, some appear to be exotic both in overall form and material composition. A series of research questions are developed that may prove useful during intensive analysis and final reporting of the East St. Louis Mound Center lithic assemblages.