Agate Basin

This content was prepared by Shania Terry, Rowan class of 2021

What is Agate Basin?

The agate basin projectile point style is long and narrow or slender. It is sized medium to long. The edges are parallel or slightly convex. The portion of the blade that is widest is from the middle to the bottom one-third portion. These points often visibly have high workmanship and are often used with high-quality materials.

Where and when is it found?

As seen in the photo, this projectile point gets around. It is primarily found throughout the Plains region of North America, including both the Great Plains and the High Plains. Though rarely found in the eastern United States, it has been reported in Plenge, Pennsylvania.

This is estimated to be from 9,500 - 8,500 B.P. Or the Transitional Paleo period to the Early Archaic peirod.

Who discovered Agate Basin?

The discovery and subsequent naming of Agate Basin has been a long journey. William H. Spencer first discovered Agate Basin in 1916 without realizing it. He picked up two more specimens in 1931 and 1941 before he reported his findings to Robert E. Frison. Frison subsequently visited the site and wrote to the Smithsonian concerning the site. It wasn't until the fall of 1958 when the site was brought to the attention of archaeologists. There, the University of Wyoming began excavations in 1959 that was a bison kill and procurement location. It was finally added to the Register on February 15, 1974.