Archaeology Terms
Kessell Points
These two points are examples of Kessell points, attributed to the Early Archaic stage. Kessel points generally have a distinct, wide concave base. They are often pentagonal, with an obvious angle formed by the blade or blade haft. The side notches are reminiscent of jigsaw puzzle pieces. The cross section is flat and usually quite thin. A specialized technique of pressure flaking combined with indirect percussion may have been used to thin and shape the preform. Kessel points are not common in Wisconsin but are reported in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The two shown in this photo are from Vernon County, Wisconsin.