HCC Gary

Franklin Parish, Louisiana. Gary’s are a late to transitional archaic dart point. Over the area which the culture inhabited you find a plethora of these pointa. Some are a little on the more “rudimentary” side of things. Meant to be strictly utilitarian. That paired with the sheer amount found makes them a usually glossed over point style.

But this certain piece caught my eye. It’s made out of a rare and highly sought after material. That being Horse Creek Chert.

As someone’s who’s had the chance to work this material on multiple occasions I will say it was likely the visual aspect which enticed them to knap it. As HCC needs to be properly heat treated to around 450’ for optimal flaking. I suspect this is why it was never traded vast distances unlike some other lithics.

  1. https://www.projectilepoints.net/Points/Gary.html

  2. https://www.projectilepoints.net/Materials/Horse%20Creek%20Chert.html