Question about digging.

[flintchasr]

I guess to start off I have never dug for artifacts I have only surface hunted fields and walked creeks. I have recently found an area in the timber where we were doing some work with a bobcat where we were shoving some down tree tops and brush into piles. While we were doing this we disturbed the top two to three inches of topsoil and after a good rain I started to notice a large amount of flint chips which of course I had to investigate and started to find that some of the chips had some edge work I even found a couple of broken points. I guess my question is would this be a good spot to do some digging. If so does anyone have any pointers that might help me out. I don't want to just jump in there with a shovel and start throwing dirt around. Any info would be greatly appreciated. This is on private property and I have permission to do whatever I want from the land owner.

Flintchasr

 

[catherine1]

I would start by digging some test holes down to the pan where you found the flint chips. And if you find some more worked flint I would work my way out from them to get a idea of what size of area you have to search. I use a edging spade to cut out a square hole. It cuts small roots pretty good also. Check all the soil that you displace and the walls of the hole very thorough. Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[flintchasr]

I would start by digging some test holes down to the pan where you found the flint chips. And if you find some more worked flint I would work my way out from them to get a idea of what size of area you have to search. I use a edging spade to cut out a square hole. It cuts small roots pretty good also. Check all the soil that you displace and the walls of the hole very thorough. Good luck and let us know what you find.

Thanks for the info. I've been chomping at the bit since we discovered this. So far the best I can tell without digging of course we have found a large amount of flint chips and flakes of all sizes in an area approx. 150 x 150 feet. But thats the only area where we disturbed the soil. The area where we found this looks like it would make a perfect campsite not to mention we have found numerous points from archaic to woodland. I'll just keep my fingers crossed for now. Should I sift all the soil that I remove?

Flintchasr

 

[catherine1]

Hand digging is very very very very time consuming. Adding a sifter to the job requires more work. How easy the dirt is to sift can make or break your desire to sift. But if your find small artifacts such as beads, I would sift that area for more. I would also be checking the dirt piles that you scaped up. I would tell you to use that bulldozer, but you might damage the artifacts with the tracks.
I know I have damaged enough stuff digging by hand. I also use a steak knife to slice the soil once I have a hole dug. After a little practice you will know what flint sounds like when you hit it. Once you start digging around I'm sure you will figure out what is best for you, and the site. From everything you described I would say there is a boat load of Artifacts there. Anyway I could get the GPS location? Oh well it was just a thought. Show us the stuff!!

 

[flintchasr]

Hand digging is very very very very time consuming. Adding a sifter to the job requires more work. How easy the dirt is to sift can make or break your desire to sift. But if your find small artifacts such as beads, I would sift that area for more. I would also be checking the dirt piles that you scaped up. I would tell you to use that bulldozer, but you might damage the artifacts with the tracks.
I know I have damaged enough stuff digging by hand. I also use a steak knife to slice the soil once I have a hole dug. After a little practice you will know what flint sounds like when you hit it. Once you start digging around I'm sure you will figure out what is best for you, and the site. From everything you described I would say there is a boat load of Artifacts there. Anyway I could get the GPS location? Oh well it was just a thought. Show us the stuff!!

Thanks for all the advice I hope my first digging adventure goes well. I will probably end up with a sore back and a pocket full of nothing. But from what I've seen on the ground after just scraping the topsoil I've kinda got my hopes up. But if I don't find anything I guess it will be on to the next adventure. I just hope I don't destroy more than I find if there is anything there. My luck someone probably just emptied their pockets after a long day walking fields. Again I appreciate the info.

Anxiously awaiting the thaw
Flintchasr

 

[Ohio_Doug]

I would do some sifting if I had a spot like that. But I am a sifting junkie, that way you don't miss anything.

 

[Jonzer]

Dug for points for the first time last fall. In 2 days I had a 3'X4'X12" hole dug and sifted.
I found a sore back and 2 raw hands.

 

[olroy70]

Digging is very hard work.

have only done it a couple of times, but with a little luck

found a stack of pottery, and finally got the whole thing. in pieces no bigger than a quarter....... havent taken the time to try to piece it together!!!

 

[Treefrog]

here check out this post : http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,376072.msg2675878.html#msg2675878

we went over a lot of this on that post a few weeks ago. you can see there what I have came out with form about 80 hours of digging so far.

 

[catherine1]

Treefrog has a nice location. If you notice from his dig pics the goodies are between the rock shelters in the ravine. It puts a emphasis that the artifacts may not be directly in the rock shelter. Its a great example of why you test dig the suronding area.

 

[flintchasr]

Thanks to all of you for the great info and advice. I will put it to good use once the ground thaws. I will let you all know how it goes after we get started. I've been dreaming about digging this site since we discovered it. We have surface hunted all around this area and have found some really nice stuff so i'm looking forward to seeing whats under the surface. Thanks again.

Flintchasr

 

[Treefrog]

have you checked the laws in ur area about digging? might better at least know what it is before you do much of it.
but if legal dig it up man!!!
it is an awesome feeling when you dig up a nice crusty point, then take it home clean it and realize just how nice it is for a 2nd rush!!!
Tree

 

[outlawatheart]

I love the sound of flint when you hit it with a tool.
Diggin' has been known to be habit forming in some people...LMAOFR

 

[flintchasr]

have you checked the laws in ur area about digging? might better at least know what it is before you do much of it.
but if legal dig it up man!!!
it is an awesome feeling when you dig up a nice crusty point, then take it home clean it and realize just how nice it is for a 2nd rush!!!
Tree

Thanks man. I've been following your posts during your adventures. Man you have found some really neat stuff. I don't know what the laws are in my area and didn't even take that into consideration. I'm glad you mentioned it. I guess I had my flint blinders on. Any idea who I would contact to find out about digging laws in my area. I sure don't want to break the law and get into a mess with the police.

Flintchasr

 

[Tnmountains]

If you have permission from the landowner and still have the bob cat I would see how deep the flint runs and use the bob cat and scoop out with it. If you have a stream near by take the load to the creek and lower the bucket and fill it with water to wash it around and sift it that way,. You can actually shake the bucket and dump it out in reverse. I mean if you have the bob cat it will save a ton of time. I have used a back hoe in this manner by a creek with ok results.
My thoughts are if you have the equipment have permission why work your self to death ?

 

[Treefrog]

great point, Ive had to do it all by hand. but whatever works.. I would love to have some equipment to do it with. only thing around here Im worried it will attract too much attention and little thieves would overrun it when I was away.
Tree

 

[flintchasr]

Thanks for the advice. We do have access to the bobcat and it is only a hundred yards or so from the creek but i am kinda worried about drawing attention to what were doing the location of this place is near an artifact rich area and all the local hunters walk this creek from time to time. I'll see how it goes and keep my options open. Thanks again for all the great advice.

Flintchasr