WesternLithics.com
A Source for Artifactual Data and Insights on Far-Western Paleo-lithics
The purpose of this website is to make Far-Western US Paleo artifact data and analysis available to all who are interested. Artifacts discussed are generously shared from many private collections. Inputs for documentation are encouraged from anyone with a desire to share and learn. Contents of this website are continuously updated as data and resources are available.
Great Basin Artifact Datasets
Great Basin Crescentics (Updated OCT 7, 2025)
This PDF contains data and images for Crescents from the Great Basin
Fluted Point Data (UPDATED OCT 26, 2025 - 3 New Points & Data)
This PDF contains data and images for Fluted Points from the Great Basin
WST Point Data (UPDATED OCT 7, 2025 - Additional Items and Sources)
This PDF contains data and images for Western Stemmed Points
Recent Updates and Commentaries
A Multi-Purpose WST Tool from the Great Basin (April 10, 2025)
Observations on many aspects of a large Western Stemmed Point-related tool.
What is a Blackrock Concave Base Point? (April 11, 2025)
This commentary hopefully helps with the confusion on what a BRCB point is in the Central Great Basin.
Clarifying WST Types (May 20, 2025)
An attempt to simplify the Western Stemmed type(s) and clarify literature redundancies and overlaps
The Invisible Signature of the Folsom Point Knapper
Although not a Great Basin topic, this paper was written in 2010 by good friend Tony Baker who studied Folsom manufacturing Technologies.
A Great Basin Paleo Hammerstone (New Nov 3, 2025)
Covering what is known about Crescents & examining theories about their functions
Paleo Crescents: Observations and Clues (New Oct 7, 2025)
Covering what is known about Crescents & examining theories about their functions
Western Stemmed in Peru? (August 5, 2025, Updated Sept 21, 2025)
Comparing WST with Paleoindian Artifacts from the Peruvian Andes
Possible Evidence of Socketed Hafting on WST (New July 15, 2025)
A look at unique wear on an early point
Nubbin in Obsidian (New July 1, 2025)
A unique look into the fluting process on a re-based obsidian Clovis point
I Know it When I See it
A paper presented at the 2011 Plains Anthropological Conference in Tucson Co-written with Tony Baker examining Blackrock (mine) and Belen (his) points with Plainview and Goshen.
From Mesa to Monte Verde
From the Alaska Anthropological Association meeting in 2011, this paper by Mike Kunz explored possible connections between Mesa/Sluiceway through Haskett and on down to El Jobo in South America.
Joshua's El Jobo (June 16, 2025)
A Tribute to Joshua Ream and his unique collection of early Paleoindian artifacts from Venezuela
The Antler Foreshaft - The Original Shrink Wrapped Package
Tony Baker's experiments with socket fore-shafts with thick-bodied points (from 2009)
When a Clovis Point is a Clovis Point (June 20, 2025)
Continuing the debate over supposed fluted point forms in the Central Great Basin