Re: Here's the hematite.
Yep rocks,
Beanman, just because you find lots of raw materials in a spot doesn't mean they were ever used. Here we have areas that are more or less gravel pits....tons of chert. I look them over religiously, or did....I find though there are some chipped stones among the lot, that rarely....VERY rarely do I ever find a point, scraper or tool in a gravel pit. Some looks promising, but normally upon close inspection the breaks or chips are natural...not man made.
The Indians apparently took the raw materials they wanted and went elsewhere to work them out. Same with hematite, slate and other such rocks that form in layers and wash up. Your ravine is a geologic curiosity and there are apparently lots of raw materials there....whether the Indians actually worked any of them is still up for debate.
Also here in the lake we find fire pits....circular areas of burned clay and stone.....oh man they look good dotted along the lake bed....you just know you are going to find tons of stuff around them and in them and the burned materials do exhibit just enough 'characteristics' to make you think some of them might be artifacts....however, I rarely ever...if EVER find any points are artifacts in or near these fire pits.....I cant explain that....but its a fact.
Hematite tools I have found are rare, because we don't have much of that material here, but when you do find them they are normally highly polished and well shaped and formed, the don't appear as melted slag. Also I find quite a few smaller pieces with holes in it....for the most part this is also a natural occurrence....not drilled by ancient man.
Anyhow, keep looking any you will find something..cant escape you forever. I plan on looking some this weekend...still want that 5" scottsbluff point of my dreams.
Happy Hunting,
Atlantis
