This PP/K is found in the United States of America within east and central Pennsylvania. This projectile point is only found in Pennsylvania and nowhere else in the United States! This makes this projectile point incredibly unique.

The Jim Thorpe projectile point has the shape that is typically associated with “arrowheads.” The stem is typically medium and triangular with an ovular shaped cross section. In size, this projectile point is one of the larger types. Jim Thorpe projectile points have wide notches that are parallel to form an extending base. In regards to the flaking pattern, this projectile point has a rather random pattern. The blade is curved outwards, while the shoulders of the projectile point can range from horizontal to being curved upwards.

This projectile point was first identified in 1988 by an archaeologist named Gary Fogelman. While many would assume that this projectile point was named only after Jim Thorpe, the Olympic athlete, it was named after a quaint town in Pennsylvania. While this Carbon County town shares the name of the Olympic athlete, the projectile point was not named solely after the Olympian.

The cultural era that this projectile point falls under is the “Archaic Period,” specifically 6,000 - 4,000 B.P., or Before Present. The Archaic Period, broken up into the early, middle, and late periods, is a common way in which North American archaeologists determine the cultural significance of various artifacts.