The eleven bifaces range in size from 5 5/8 inches (14.3 cm) long for the longest and 3 3/4 inches (9.5 cm) long for the smallest. The widest biface measures 3 1/16 inches (7.7 cm) wide. The widest percussion flake measures 2 1/2 inches (6.3 cm) wide.

   Caches of Clovis artifacts are rare. They are almost always found on construction sites or in cultivated fields, by the general public. Only later are they reported to archaeologists. Sometimes, these find sites can be scientifically verified. The Wenatchee site in Washington is one of the most successfully excavated Clovis caches. In that case, archaeologists were notified early and the majority of the artifacts were scientifically excavated. The Drake cache in Colorado is another example of a cache that was verified scientifically by archaeologists who were able to return to the find site and excavate additional Clovis related artifacts. The cache illustrated in this article represents a typical find situation. It was discovered during an earth moving operation by an amateur artifact collector who was monitoring the site for any stone tools that might be brought to the surface. The cache was originally thought to be an Archaic cache. Only recently was it suggested to the finder and owner, by two flintknapping friends, Marty Rueter and Tim Dillard, that it might be Clovis related.

   A large percentage of Clovis caches were covered with red ochre. They seem to suggest some type of a ritual involvement, such as offerings placed with a burial. But the Mckinnis cache does not have any red ochre applied to the artifact surfaces.------It would be easy to see on the white Burlington chert. It might be argued that since the cache is not stained with red ochre that it was made for mundane purposes and not related to ritual use. It could be speculated that the cache was put away for later retrieval. Maybe the individual couldn't carry it or maybe he wanted some extra material cached away for later retrieval. Whither the cache was originally placed with a burial and never intended to be retrieved or placed as a cache in order to be used sometime in the future is information that will never be known.

    The study of Clovis caches, along with experimental archaeology, may give archaeologists new insights into the mechanical processes of Clovis stone tool making. One area of experimentation that might be suggested is the rocker-punch flaking technique. This process allows the knapper to apply a large amount of energy to drive off very large flakes in different directions across the biface. The technique uses less striking force if compared to most of today's standard percussion flaking techniques using copper and antler billets.
  Although the McKinnis cache was not scientifically excavated and proven absolutely to be Clovis related. The technology that was used to make it will be its strongest case for a Clovis related cache. The individual who made it was certainly very familiar with Clovis stone tool making technology. This is a fascinating study collection that should  prove to be a positive contribution towards the study of Clovis stone tool making.

"REFERENCES"

1912, "Handbook Of American Indians North Of Mexico," pp. 178, 179.
1996, Morrow, Juliet E., "The Organization of Early Paleoindian Lithic Technology In The Confluence Region Of The Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri Rivers," p. 106.
1999, Boldurian, Anthony T. & Cotter, John L., "Clovis Revisited, New Perspectives On paleoindian Adaptations From Blackwater Draw, New Mexico," pp. 38, 39.
Personal communications with Donnie McKinnis.
Personal communications with Brad Koldehoff.
Personal communications with Richard Michael Gramly PhD.

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