Elko Corner Notch Point

This triangular corner-notched point exhibits a distinctive morphology, characterized by a cross-sectional profile that ranges from flattened to elliptical. The blade's curvature can vary from a subtle outward curve to a straight alignment, often accompanied by fine serrations along its edge. The shoulders of the point are marked by barbed protrusions, which taper to a sharp apex, and are noticeably broader at their tips than the basal ears. The diagonal notches that define the point's corners are typically deep and narrow, extending into the blade. The stem expands outward, terminating in a base that is either straight or slightly concave. In terms of flaking patterns, this point usually displays a random arrangement of flakes, although some specimens may exhibit a more organized parallel oblique pattern.

The dimensions of these arrowheads are characterized by the following measurements: overall length ranges from 24 to 88 mm, with a mean length of 33 to 51 mm. The stem portion measures between 6 to 11 mm in length. The blade itself spans a width of 15 to 52 mm, averaging 18 to 24 mm. The neck width varies from 10 to 32 mm, commonly falling within the range of 13 to 17 mm. The basal width is between 13 to 42 mm, typically narrower than the blade by 10 to 20 mm. In terms of thickness, these arrowheads measure between 4 to 9 mm.

This type is distributed across the Great Basin region, extending into the Snake River Valley and southeastern Oregon's Klamath Valley. It also appears in the northern section of the Colorado Plateau. The distribution reaches west into the Sacramento Valley. Additionally, it stretches south into northern Baja California and northwestern Sonora, Mexico

The archaeological record reveals that Elko Eared points precede the emergence of Elko Corner Notch points, with the former reaching their peak usage before the latter. This chronological pattern is evident at sites such as Shallow Shelter, where a concentration of Elko Eared points was found in the same stratigraphic layer as Pinto points, while Elko Corner Notch points were more abundant in the overlying strata. However, this temporal distinction is not universally observed, as seen at Gatecliff Shelter, where the two point types co-occur without a noticeable difference in their ages, as noted by Justice in 2002.

The distinction between Elko Eared and Elko Corner Notch points can be challenging due to their technological continuum. Both types often exhibit a concaved base, but Thomas (1981) proposed a criterion to differentiate between them based on the depth of the concavity. According to his classification, points with an indentation ratio of 0.93 or less are categorized as Elko Corner Notch, while those with a ratio greater than 0.93 are considered Elko Eared. This subtle distinction highlights the complexities of typological classification in archaeology.

Further research by Homer (1980) attempted to statistically discern the differences between Elko Corner Notch and Elko Side Notch points. His findings suggested that the two types represent a continuum, with no clear-cut distinction between them. The variation in form, particularly the Side Notch type, may be attributed to the re-sharpening of the blade or the strategic placement of notches higher on the blade to maximize basal width, as discussed by Justice in 2002. These insights underscore the importance of considering the dynamic nature of technological evolution and the potential for morphological changes in projectile points over time.