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Lithic Artifacts – La Crosse County, WI

Lithic artifacts These lithic artifacts were recovered during Phase II archaeological testing at a site in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, in the 1990s.

Left - This broken bifacial tool exhibits a high degree of polish towards the tip, suggesting use as a digging implement. It is snapped, with a large fracture reflecting breakage during use. The tool is made of a brown-white Burlington chert with many inclusions of fossilized crinoid stems.

Right - This complete bifacial knife has extensive edge resharpening. It is made of a gray-white Burlington chert with numerous small, tan-colored fossiliferous inclusions.

Bottom - These two complete Madison Triangular projectile points are of local chert and fall within the range of variation for local projectile points associated with the late precontact Oneota tradition.

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MVAC Educational Programs are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. This project was supported in part by the National Science Foundation. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Foundation.