Newbie help

[Benji0406]

Hi! I was recently by a river in Kansas with my kids and what started with one interesting rock turned into a ton of them. I washed them all and have been trying to figure out if I even have anything. I'm sure most of it is rocks. I for sure have a few pieces of pottery but I'm struggling with how to identify artifacts. Can you give me some tips on how to narrow down the items and what type of pictures are needed of the important items for identification? I'll add a few pictures to give you an idea of what I'm looking at. Thank you!

 

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[vpnavy]

I noticed this is your very first post - so, while you are waiting for some help - let me say Welcome Aboard! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forums: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country).

 

[Benji0406]

I will do that. Thank you!

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Welcome aboard Benji0406. Glad to have you on board with us.

Unfortunately, I don't see anything in your group of stones that is an artifact. Everything looks to be naturally formed to me.

 

[CaptEsteban]

It is very hard to tell by the pictures, but I do see a few pieces of pottery, I believe.

 

[Benji0406]

Thank you for your responses! I'm going to post a few detail pictures of ones I'm really curious about. It won't hurt my feelings if I don't have anything. I have really enjoyed the process and would like to learn how to identify pieces so I can go out again and maybe get something cool.

 

[Benji0406]

This one was interesting to me because of the coating on the outside.

 

[Benji0406]

This is some kind of broken item but the river is right by a railroad so it could have come from any where.

 

[Benji0406]

I figured this is broken pottery.

 

[Benji0406]

 

[Benji0406]

 

[Benji0406]

 

[Benji0406]

 

[Benji0406]

 

[Benji0406]

 

[unclemac]

really you have just a bunch of tumbled rocks. When you find the real deal, you won't even have to ask. Remember that artifacts almost always have an obvious function and for that matter, a modern day counter part that often resembles the archaic form.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Everything you posted is a naturally tumbled creek or river rock. No artifacts in that bunch at all. I honestly don't see any Pottery either.

 

[Benji0406]

Everything you posted is a naturally tumbled creek or river rock. No artifacts in that bunch at all. I honestly don't see any Pottery either.

Darn! Thank you for looking again. Is there a book you recommend that can help me know what to look for next time so I don't end up with a bunch of interesting looking rocks?

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Stone Age Spear and Arrow Points by Noel Justice is a good book.

Sun Circles and Human Hands by Emma Lila Fundaburk and Mary Douglass Fundaburk Foreman is also a good book.

Personally I would steer clear of any Overstreet book until you learn more.

 

[unclemac]

you can get specific to your area too....lots of publications out there.