Stone artifact found today

[Hhop]

Here is a picture of a stone artifact that I found this afternoon. I was really excited about finding this, because I was actually searching for artifacts at the time. I rarely ever find any when searching, but more often just find them unexpectedly. I believe that this may have been a knife, because it seems too thick to have been an arrow, spear, or dart point. It is 2 7/8" long x 1 3/4" wide x about 3/4" at thickest point. It is somewhat beat up, probably from being struck by a farm implement. This was found at the outer edge of a river bottom area, that I always felt looked like a good spot for a settlement or encampment. It is (present day at least) dry most of the time, close to water, near a wooded area, and also with open prairie type areas not far away.

I know some feel that these should be left where found. I however, have always felt that it would be an honor for me, if by some miracle, someone hundreds or even thousands of years in future should find something that I had made, and want to keep it, have an appreciation of it, and perhaps think of me. ( I cannot for the life of me though, think of anything I have made or will make that would qualify as that or last that long! )

Happy New Year!
Harold

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[Coo-wah-chobee]

  Do you 'knap ?-bob

[Hhop]

I have never learned to knap, but really admire the work of those that do. Some of the work turned out by present day knappers is amazing.
Harold

[Pat B]

Harold, I have a collection of Native American artifacts that I cherish. I don't think it's wrong to collect artifacts as long as you aren't distroying burial mounds or sacred  grounds. Most of my artifacts came from Coastal South Carolina and were from disturbed areas or where rivers had cut into the bank and exposed them. I have heads, blades, scrapers and other stone tools as well as a complete pot that was given to me by one of my aunts after seeing our collection. This pot, about the size of a baseball, was a gift to her from an old boy friend over 75 years ago. It came from Texas.
   I don't think I'd ever use an artifact on one of my arrows though.   Pat

[Hhop]

I agree with that Pat. Everthing I find, is in fields or eroded areas near streams or gulleys. On another site, there is sometimes polite debate about whether items like mine should be picked up or left. At estate auctions I attend, there are sometimes arrowheads and such up for bid. I have no interest in that, but only what I can find myself.
Have a great New Year.
Harold

[clearflint]

Nice find! Nothing wrong with RESCUING artifacts, with all the development going on, complete destruction of sites I just don't buy the argument that its wrong to pick up an arrowhead. Better get um before the big yellow cat does! Happy New Year!

[Agbowyer]

I agree with all above. I have been collecting for about 10 years. Fortunately in Texas not only are there several places to find artifacts, it is legal if you are on private property. The bigest problem is developement. Just this past year one terrific site has been cut up and sold as a developement. By the way, it was also a great hunting area for turkey and deer. You can't really blame the land owners for selling. That property sold for $10,000 an acre. The Texas hill county is being developed at a rapid rate. Sorry for venting.... I just get worked up every time I drive through there.

[mullet]

  Be glad you don't have Disney.It started the meltdown here.

[Agbowyer]

I can't even imagine. Here its just people who want a 1 or 2 acre yard.

[Bob S.]

Nice find Hhop. Hafted scraper or knife maybe? I agree with everybody else in regard to keeping artifacts. Why shouldn't they be taken home and "cherrished", as opposed to being left in the ground, possibly being broken by a plow, or never being found and appreciated? I know a guy that hunts them to sell and while I wouldn't do that myself, those artifacts are still ending up in the hands of somebody who will appreciate them.

[BryanB]

agbowyer-
Where I live outside of Portland, land goes for $90,000-125,000 for an 4,000-10,000 sq foot lot.
$10,000 an acre sounds like paradise.

Bryan

[mullet]

  It's almost as bad hear Bryan,200'x200' lots are going for $45 G's and and lakefront is in the 6 figures.

[Agbowyer]

I know our lots in the city go for a lot more, but I don't think they are that hight yet unless you are in a pretty exclusive area. My wife watches some show on TV about home sales, and I'm blown away by the prices. I don't see how people can afford to live there.

[D. Tiller]

Here on the Island I live on my mother purchased 10 acres for 76,000 and now five of those acres go for over 220 only 3 years later! Go figure!!!