Meserve points were first described from the Meserve Site near Grand
Island, Nebraska. They are found in most parts of the Southwest.
[Illustration: _Meserve_]
Meserve points are basically lanceolate-shaped. Upper lateral edges,
which in the case of these points comprise almost three-quarters of the
total point length, are typically straight. They are quite distinctive
in being rather steeply alternately bevelled and they may be serrated.
Bevelling is always on the right edge when viewed with the point tip
forward; cross-section of the upper lateral edges at mid-section is
rhomboidal. The unusually short lower lateral edges are straight or
slightly concave. Meserve points are broadest either at the distal end
of these edges, or at the base. The base is shallowly or markedly
concave. Basal thinning is accomplished mainly by the removal of either
one large flake or several narrower flakes parallel to the point
long-axis, in a fashion reminiscent of the thinning of Plainview point
bases. Less often, these scars are small and numerous. Thinning in some
cases was by the removal of flakes at right angles to the point
long-axis during initial retouch of the point faces. Average dimensions
are: length 3.0 to 9.0 cm., width (base) 2.0 to 2.7 cm. Workmanship is
generally good. Initial shaping as well as bevelling were likely by
direct percussion. Initial flake scars are usually irregular. Basal
thinning in some cases was probably by indirect percussion. Lateral
edges may be secondarily pressure retouched. Smoothing is observed on
both the lower non-bevelled lateral edges and in the concave base.
An estimated age of from 9,000 to 5,000 or even 4,000 years ago has been
suggested for Meserve points. They are thus in part contemporaneous
with, and have been found with, Plainview points. Meserve points are
found throughout most of the Southwest, as far north as Canada, and in
the Midwest states. They appear to be most common on the Llano Estacado.