Orient (Fishtail)

This content was prepared by Zachary Lehmann, Rowan University Class of 2021

What is Orient?

  • Small to Medium in size

  • The cross section varies between flattened to elliptical.

  • The blade is slender and may be asymmetrical in some cases. The shoulder are rounded and sloped upwards.

  • The stem is most commonly expanding, but some examples have had straight stems.

  • The base is primarily concaved, but may vary to straight. The base generally has a "fishtail" appearance.

  • A random flaking pattern is used in making this point.

Measurements:


Information on this Style

  • Most commonly white quartz, quartzite, locally available flints and slate.

  • William A. Richie named the point after the site in which it was located.

  • Discovered in 1961 in the Oriental Points, Long Island/New York Areas.

Where was it used?

  • This point is primarily found in the middle to lower Hudson River Valley of New York and New Jersey and Long Island areas.

  • Distribution extends into the Quinnipiac River Basin of Connecticut, Tug River Valley of West Virginia, the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario, and into Virginia.

Measurements

Length - x

Stem Length - x

Blade Width - x

Stem Width - x

Neck Width - x

Thickness - x

More Information!