Any tips for a newbie in North Florida/South Georgia?

[fjer]

Finding Native artifacts is something I've been interested in for a while (well, I'm only 22, so I guess "a while" is relative), but I haven't really been sure how to go about doing it. I'm currently on the norther edge of Tallahassee, but will be heading the the Ft. Benning/Columbus, Ga area very soon. Any suggestions for where to look/what to look for? There's a small creek behind my house, which I would think could be a good spot due to erosion and runoff, but again, not really sure how to look

 

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[birdpointgriswold]

Finding Native artifacts is something I've been interested in for a while (well, I'm only 22, so I guess "a while" is relative), but I haven't really been sure how to go about doing it. I'm currently on the norther edge of Tallahassee, but will be heading the the Ft. Benning/Columbus, Ga area very soon. Any suggestions for where to look/what to look for? There's a small creek behind my house, which I would think could be a good spot due to erosion and runoff, but again, not really sure how to look

Talk to Gator Boy he down your way he can help you a lot for your area...but always look in areas with natural water sources, higher elevation around the water..sandy soils..happy hunting and welcome to TNet! Prepare to start drooling some of these guys post some amazing stuff and you will learn a ton up here in no time!

Johnathan Griswold

 

[fjer]

Talk to Gator Boy he down your way he can help you a lot for your area...but always look in areas with natural water sources, higher elevation around the water..sandy soils..happy hunting and welcome to TNet! Prepare to start drooling some of these guys post some amazing stuff and you will learn a ton up here in no time!

Johnathan Griswold

Thanks for the tips, and the drooling has already started!

 

[Neanderthal]

There's a fellow on this board that uses the handle "ticm", he may be able to help you out.

 

[GatorBoy]

I think your best bet would be to reasearch your area.there is a long native american history throughout that entire area.also spanish exploration dating back to Desoto in the 1500's.check that stream before anything.as far as how to look... keep in mind that most of it is stone to begin with so find an area where stones and gravel gather. If there is a current I always find it good to look on the down current side of large stones since the action of the water around them tends to erode a gully behind them.

 

[Americus]

Will you be stationed at Fort Benning? I live 60 miles from there.

 

[fjer]

I think your best bet would be to reasearch your area.there is a long native american history throughout that entire area.also spanish exploration dating back to Desoto in the 1500's.check that stream before anything.as far as how to look... keep in mind that most of it is stone to begin with so find an area where stones and gravel gather. If there is a current I always find it good to look on the down current side of large stones since the action of the water around them tends to erode a gully behind them.

Thanks for the tip on the creek. The Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park is less than two miles from me, so I know there has to have been some activity in the area.

Will you be stationed at Fort Benning? I live 60 miles from there.

I will be.

 

[GatorBoy]

Nice! Keep us posted and good luck.

 

[GaRebel1861]

I think your best bet would be to reasearch your area.there is a long native american history throughout that entire area.also spanish exploration dating back to Desoto in the 1500's.check that stream before anything.as far as how to look... keep in mind that most of it is stone to begin with so find an area where stones and gravel gather. If there is a current I always find it good to look on the down current side of large stones since the action of the water around them tends to erode a gully behind them.

Good advice!!

Fjer,

When you get to Fort Benning let us know. I live here in Southwest Georgia and have a few fields & creek sites that I can share with a service member.

 

[GatorBoy]

Good stuff GA.

 

[fjer]

Good advice!!

Fjer,

When you get to Fort Benning let us know. I live here in Southwest Georgia and have a few fields & creek sites that I can share with a service member.

That would be awesome, thanks!

 

[GaRebel1861]

That would be awesome, thanks!

I sent you a PM with my contact information so get in touch with me when you get to Fort Benning.

 

[fyrffytr1]

Good advice!!

Fjer,

When you get to Fort Benning let us know. I live here in Southwest Georgia and have a few fields & creek sites that I can share with a service member.

Hey GaReb I was in the Navy!!

 

[GaRebel1861]

Hey GaReb I was in the Navy!!

Yeah, I know but this fellow is in the military not the Navy! Besides, you already know where most of my artifact hunting sites are already. GO ARMY!

 

[GatorBoy]

Ha ha..
Airborne..rigger

 

[centfladigger]

I hunted for years in Lumpkin Ga. Stewart county, about the poorest county inthe state. We found insane amounts of artifacts on our lease of 1400 acres before and especially after they clear cut alot of it. after they clear cut some bottoms we found 3 mounds we had never seen before and yes 1 was built in the typical conical mound style. Also heard that Ft Benning has bought or aquired some huge amounts of acrage due to Ft Knox joing the Benning area. I have 2 friends who dig and are from the Columbus area and they have awesome collections. They have been at it for over 30 years and leanred like most of us, get your shovel and start test holing places. Dont know your laws up there about all that. Stay away fromthe Victory Drive area, noting but trouble

 

[ivan salis]

ok basic stuff == first a steady clean water supply is a must #1 then look for a high ground spot (needs to be high so as to not flood when it rains)and for defense reasons next see if theres a flat feild area nearby (to grow crops at) if so your looking good now if there is any nearby source of hard rock you should be in bussiness --even if there is no nearby rock source it is still likely to be a village site

 

[newnan man]

When I lived in Tallahassee (early 80's) and worked construction I found a lot of artifacts. One area north of town was called Bobbin Brook. As they cleared roads into the neighborhood I found Woodland and Archiac points and some sherds. Never found a complete Hernando, always broken!!!! Some hardstone I found people said was traded down from Ga. True, as hardstone was not found in the area. I'm sure its all developed out and private land etc. That area was expensive homes on large tracts. Springs in Wakulla Co. had a lot of sherds and I should have snorkled them more when it was legal. A lot of little springs all over that area had points found in them from Paleo to contact.
I don't know much about Ga. I found some points in Bibb Co. in the early 90's while on a construction job near Macon. Road being cut in along a creek west of town. I would flip and dig thru the dozed soil. I got a really big but broken piece of axe, plow something that was ground smooth as anything. I still have it and am not sure what it is. Good luck!