Mastodons, Fluted Points, and the "Valders Problem" in Northeastern Wisconsin

The significance of three concentrations of fluted point finds is examined in light of recent revisions to the glacial history of eastern Wisconsin. Some of the fluted points are reported here for the first time. Controversy surrounded the age of fluted points found on Valders till thought to be free of ice by 10,500 B.P. or later. This same till is now renamed the Kirby Lake Member till and is thought to be free of ice by 12,000 B.P. or earlier. The term "Valders" is now reassigned to the Valders Member till along the shore of Lake Michigan. Thus many of the fluted points found in northeastern Wisconsin can now be assigned to the same age as fluted points found in southern Wisconsin. Recent work at the Cardy site (47DR 9) in Door County pushes the northern limits of Early Paleoindian in Wisconsin further than formerly thought possible.