In lithic archaeology, a basal notch is a deliberate indentation or cut made at the base of a stone tool or projectile point. It is a key hafting feature that helps secure the point to a shaft or handle.

🌍 Definition

• Basal Notch: A notch or indentation located at the base of a biface or projectile point.
• Function: Provides a secure place for bindings (sinew, fiber, or cordage) when attaching the point to a shaft.
• Orientation: Opposite the tip, at the basal edge of the artifact.

🔑 Archaeological Contexts

• Projectile Points:
  • Basal notches are diagnostic features in many point types (e.g., Dalton points in North America).
  • They can be single or multiple, shallow or deep, depending on cultural tradition.
• Hafting Technology:
  • Notches allowed bindings to grip tightly, preventing slippage during use.
  • Often combined with basal grinding to protect sinew bindings.
• Typology & Chronology:
  • Basal notch styles help archaeologists classify points and identify cultural affiliations.
  • Variations in notch form are used to date artifacts and track technological change.

📚 Importance in Anthropology

• Functional Insight: Shows how prehistoric peoples engineered tools for durability and efficiency.
• Cultural Identity: Distinct notch styles are markers of specific archaeological cultures.
• Comparative Value: Highlights differences between notched, stemmed, and fluted hafting strategies.
• Material Culture: Reflects skilled manipulation of minerals like flint, chert, and obsidian.

In short: A basal notch is an indentation at the base of a stone point, crucial for hafting and classification in lithic analysis.