Heaven or Hell?

[BobGuy]

I found a dry creek bed that runs near a known site that is loaded with chert. I picked up a bunch of pieces but I can't tell if they are actual artifacts or just roughed up rocks in a creek. Many of them game chipped edges that appear to be worked but I can't tell if that is the case or that is a result of the creek. I can't tell if I have found artifact heaven or hell because there are tons of pieces that appear to be artifacts or its hell because it is just a trick. What do you think??

 

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[The Grim Reaper]

I don't see anything that I would call an artifact. They all look like natural stones to me.

 

[handaxe]

I don't see anything that I would call an artifact. They all look like natural stones to me.

Grim I have to differ. All of this looks worked

 

[handaxe]

Bob keep at it in the same spot as I have and you may end up with some of these

 

[larson1951]

i think mostly natural but there looks to be one or two backed blade forms and i think i might see some side scrapers
it is good that you posted all of it for opinions
it might be worth going back to that spot again...........if you do then keep us 'posted'

larson1951

 

[joshuaream]

I tend to agree with Grim. Better pictures might help, but if anything some look like quick clean up work on a chunk of chert to knock off the rind and corners.

Keep up the search.

 

[monsterrack]

I always tell folks that are new to indian artifact hunting, to find out what you can on flint knapping. This will show what pressure flaking looks like, mother nature can cause a chip or two, but she wont replicate what man will do to stone. A great book is The Art of Flint Knapping by D.C. Waldorf. Keep looking you are on the right trail. Also check out( nativewayonline.com )you can get all kinds of info from my friend who has been doing this for 45 yrs.

 

[trevmma]

need better pics, to tell, but one up and over from lighter could be a midsection, but i cand see flacking in this pic. but it is flint, which is good

 

[rock]

Looks like it might be reduction pieces on most of it. Still might be a good place to look. When you actually find a worked piece there will be no doubt in your mind as to what you have found. If not the same spot maybe look close to it. Look for small pieces the size of a dime or smaller and also very thin. When you find that spot then you will be on the right track. Keep looking it looks as if you are close. HH, rock

 

[Tnmountains]

99% hell and 1% heaven. Possible secondary work on a reduction flake and it looks like one blow only. Could be natural. Where ever you are hunting it looks like the material is right.
Keep posting them.

 

[BobGuy]

Rock I know what your saying about knowing for sure when you see an actual artifact but sometimes your mind tricks you into seeing what you want. Thanks for all the feedback and opinions. I know there is stuff there but it will be hell to find since its all the same material...

 

[rock]

Rock I know what your saying about knowing for sure when you see an actual artifact but sometimes your mind tricks you into seeing what you want. Thanks for all the feedback and opinions. I know there is stuff there but it will be hell to find since its all the same material...

If so then probably. Move a bit on the outer areas and see whats in those spots. If you are in a quarry site they might of tested allot of rocks and then took the better ones to make something a ways out of the area.

 

[Tnmountains]

Rock I know what your saying about knowing for sure when you see an actual artifact but sometimes your mind tricks you into seeing what you want. Thanks for all the feedback and opinions. I know there is stuff there but it will be hell to find since its all the same material...

Bob
The material is right and what you are picking up is what you should be looking for. Once you see a good worked piece or some reductions flakes it will all fall into place. Hang in there you are close. I think one of yours is worked.

 

[GatorBoy]

Some kinds of things usually at quarry sites... usually just roughed out pieces.. at least in my experience.
Also..if there is a waterway nearby I would definitely check the banks and bars when the water is low.
Those guys had to hunt while there and you could find some real nice points.

 

[BobGuy]

I can tell that those pieces look much crisper than mine. My question is if those same pieces spent time in a creek how worn down would they be and would you be able to distinguish them as easily? I can tell when something has for sure been worked but then I pick up another piece and wonder if it was once worked but is very worn down. Or is that just not the case?

 

[GatorBoy]

If it was ever a completed specific tool you will be able to tell.. look for things that are bi-facial that is a sure sign.
Here is a water worn point..you can still tell it was worked.
By the looks of the material you're finding There should be plenty of Nice artifacts as to not spend too much time contemplating things that don't look like much to begin with.
If there is a lot of material to look at...hunt for things that are dead giveaways first.
Then you will get used to handling those and become more acquainted with the details and be able to pick out more less obvious pieces later.
After a while the overall shape wont even be what you look for since it's rare that something is completely exposed anyway..you will just learn to see the "work" and be able to spot that immediately.






This particular point is interesting because the stem has much crisper edges on the flake scars ..enough so that I think it spent a long time still in the haft after it was lost.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I stand by my first assumption.

 

[GatorBoy]

I stand by my first assumption.

I tend to agree... it seems he has the right material and says there is alot so I figure it's there close by somewhere and a little nudge in the right direction should help.
I bet we see something better soon.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I tend to agree... it seems he has the right material and says there is alot so I figure it's there close by somewhere and a little nudge in the right direction should help.
I bet we see something better soon.

I agree. He does have some flint or chert pieces in that bunch but I don't think any of them are artifacts.

 

[BobGuy]

I will certainly keep you all posted on any finds at this spot and stop wasting my time picking up crap and only go after obvious stuff!