Projectile point · Paleoindian
Midland
10500–9800 BCE, Folsom
Midland was defined by Wendorf and Krieger from the Scharbauer site near Midland, Texas, where it occurred with Folsom material. Most researchers regard it as a Folsom point that was too thin to flute, made on the same preforms and at the same sites. Its range follows Folsom across the Plains and the Southwest, often on Edwards chert or Alibates.
| Object | Projectile point |
|---|---|
| Dates | 10500–9800 BCE |
| Period | Paleoindian |
| Cultures | Folsom |
| Regions | North America — Great Plains, North America — Southwest |
Diagnostic traits
Small, very thin unfluted lanceolate with a concave base, small ears, extremely fine pressure flaking, ground basal edges and often a few short basal-thinning scars in place of a flute.
Identification
Midland is a Folsom without flutes: same outline, size, thinness and ears. Plainview and Goshen are larger, thicker and less finely flaked. A Midland should be thinner than 5 mm; anything thicker is more likely a Plainview or a small Milnesand.
Reproductions and fakes
Seldom faked on its own but sometimes offered as a Folsom preform; genuine points show basal grinding and the same patina on the basal-thinning scars as on the faces.
Cite this article
Stratum Study. "Midland" (Artifact type). Stratum Study pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21. https://stratum.black/study/types/midland. Accessed 2026-09-21.
@misc{stratum-midland,
title = {Midland},
author = {{Stratum Study}},
howpublished = {\url{https://stratum.black/study/types/midland}},
year = {2026},
note = {Artifact type article, Stratum Study pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21; sources: stratum. 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.