This recently defined Early Man projectile point has been named after a
group of quarry sites in the Hell Cap Valley near Guernsey in
east-central Wyoming.
Hell Gap points, similar to many other Early Man types, are essentially
lanceolate-shaped. Upper lateral edges are slightly rounded, while lower
lateral edges taper in straight lines to the generally narrow, slightly
to noticeably rounded, occasionally nearly straight base. These points
are commonly broadest at mid-section, but examples are known which are
broadest a little below this point. Lower lateral edges are offset from
the broadest section to such a degree that one is inclined to consider
Hell Gap points stemmed. Dimensions are: length 4.5 to 8.8 cm., and
width 2.0 to 3.0 cm. Workmanship is not nearly as fine as on Folsom
points. Flaking was produced by direct percussion, with occasional
secondary edge trimming by pressure. Initial flake scars on point faces
are irregular; basal thinning was accomplished by multi-directional
flaking. The stem and base are smoothed through grinding; basal
smoothing may be absent on some specimens.
Surface specimens have been found in many parts of Wyoming, Montana,
Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Similar points are also known from
California and parts of Texas. The most northerly known occurrence is
Alberta, in Canada.
[Illustration: _Hell Gap_]