A Fluted Biface Fragment from the Lange Site in Gloucester County,New Jersey: Implications for Paleoindian Site Selection and Function

Abstract

Replicative experiments indicate that a fluted biface fragment found at the recently destroyed Lange site in Gloucester County, New Jersey, was from a preform broken during the fluting stage of projectile point manufacture. The nearby occurrence of lithic raw materials suitable for flaked stone tool manufacture suggests that the site possibly functioned as a more permanent base camp for Paleoindian populations. This speculation may be supported further by the occurrence of late stage fluted biface manufacture. Additionally, other flaked stone tools of probable Paleoindian affiliation have been recovered from the site. Together, these data provide further support for Marshall's (1982) hypothesis that the occurrence and distribution of pebble cherts in the New Jersey Coastal Plains figured significantly in the settlement patterns of Paleoindian populations.