Projectile point · Paleoindian
Gainey
11000–10500 BCE, Clovis
Gainey is the earliest fluted form in the Great Lakes, essentially the regional expression of Clovis, and is named for the Gainey site in Genesee County, Michigan. It opens the Great Lakes fluted sequence that runs Gainey to Barnes to Crowfield, a scheme worked out by Simons, Shott and Wright and by Deller and Ellis in Ontario. Most examples are on Upper Mercer, Bayport or Onondaga chert. Complete points are scarce; collectors more often hold basal fragments and channel flakes.
| Object | Projectile point |
|---|---|
| Dates | 11000–10500 BCE |
| Period | Paleoindian |
| Cultures | Clovis |
| Regions | North America — Eastern Woodlands |
Diagnostic traits
Broad, relatively thick fluted lanceolate with parallel to slightly convex edges, a deeply concave base, wide flutes running about a third of the length, and heavy grinding of the base and lower edges.
Identification
Gainey is broader and more parallel-sided than Barnes, which is waisted with flaring ears and a long single flute, and it is thicker than Crowfield, which is a thin, wide point with several flutes and a shallow basal concavity. Against classic Clovis the differences are slight, mainly a deeper basal concavity and the northern raw materials.
Reproductions and fakes
Reproductions on fresh Onondaga or Upper Mercer show bright, sharp flake scars and fluting done with a punch that leaves no basal preparation; genuine pieces have uniform patina across the flutes, basal grinding that dulls the edge, and often plow damage.
Elsewhere
- Wikidata: Q109920944
Cite this article
Stratum Study. "Gainey" (Artifact type). Stratum Study pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21. https://stratum.black/study/types/gainey. Accessed 2026-09-21.
@misc{stratum-gainey,
title = {Gainey},
author = {{Stratum Study}},
howpublished = {\url{https://stratum.black/study/types/gainey}},
year = {2026},
note = {Artifact type article, Stratum Study pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21; sources: stratum, wikidata. Accessed 2026-09-21.}
} Citations carry the pack version and the article's as-of date so they resolve to the same text later. The facts themselves belong to the sources listed below; cite those for the science.