This volume contains thousands of full-color photographs of mostly stone projectile points, knives, and cache-blades from all over Illinois. More than 100 different types are represented, with multiple examples illustrating distinguishing characteristics, distributions, ages, and cultural affiliations. The type of stone is also identified and each blade is reproduced in its actual size. Each spread, organized by age, has a short essay on the blade type, its age and uses, and other interesting information. Essays on related topics like bison hunting, early horticulture, and bird symbolism add to the context of the points.
This is comprehensive reference book that will be of interest to amateur and professional archaeologists from all over the Midwest and beyond. It is beautifully written, produced, and illustrated by seven amateur and professional archaeologists associated with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This book is an important contribution to Native American archaeology and a must for every archaeological library.