Thanks for the interest! As for this site, most of it is in a cultivated field but there's some bush areas surrounding that had Native camps here and there.
There's about another 30 iron points (not photographed) from the plowed area that are more corroded, bent, or broken. Most of the points in the picture come from the bush area.
This post existed for a decade during the late 18th century and had very little modern activity outside of farming and hunting.
Of course in the early days of my sites, the nonferrous signals and bigger iron gets plucked out first and then I start digging almost everything as the site thins out.
I set my 1266X to accept all-metal but flip between the dual disc. to determine the size of iron artifacts.
In most cases, I can tell if the signal is different than a typical nail as these points will give a more expanded signal and most nails give a double blip but not always!
As I dig more of the less desirable signals, a deep iron point on it's edge (not flat) will sound similar to a nail.
I like to dig every signal at the Native camps as there's less nails (away from the post/fort) and everything has been worked. Even the nails have been modified for a special use.
Imagine all the stone lithics..... micro-blades, scrapers, awls, knives, saws, etc. converted into scrap metal versions. Even iron scrap trim bits have been utilized!
Sure the ability to flint knap almost disappeared by this period but that doesn't mean they didn't continue to fashion tools for every day purposes, they just used scrap metal.
Most Native made points were cut out of the scrap by taking a wedge/chisel and hammering out the shape with the back of a trade axe.
Then they used one of the most important tools (and under-rated) of the fur trade period.....a file to put an edge on blades or points and to finish it. They used a file to work on many different items.
The thing about fur trade collectors is that most focus on European made trade goods and overlook the amazing Native made tools and adornment that are often one of a kind pieces.
Although it's true they lost a lot of their ancient knowledge from assimilation, I have found comfort in digging up 18th century iron implements like these below, that are EXACTLY the same pattern as prehistoric copper points made thousand of years earlier......
It's almost like that knowledge is embedded in their DNA!
Well, my two fingers are getting sore from all this typing. Lol. I'd love to show more of what I've been blabbing about again.
Cheers,
Dave.
I have one metal trade point (Montana), and one copper point that I found at John's village site in North Dakota.
Are you serious 
