Question on Digging for Artifacts

[BrettCo124]

Hi all,

I have access to a private beach on a river that sometimes produces points. I'm still new to the hobby, and as always, id love your advice on something.

I love searching along the water line, and also reaching in the water itself and searching through the stones. My question is, would it be a good idea to dig, as well, in the sand and sift? I have the equipment to do that, but I don't know if that's a good use of time.

I basically move back and forth along the designated area on the beach in front of the house, all while the ride recedes. Since it recedes, I am constantly covering new ground and seeing new things.

Should I dig/sift?

Thanks everyone. Here is the latest find that I nearly screamed when I found (it's my second point ever).

 

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[catherine1]

If your going to dig, you need to find the source of your artifacts....otherwise you are wasting your time. Yes there are middens located along beaches. Good luck.

 

[BrettCo124]

Thanks for the response. I am still very new to all of this. Any advise on finding the source? I doubt it's in the 50' stretch of beach I am looking in, however I have found a couple arrowheads already in it.

 

[arrow86]

I also hunt a few spots that are very similar but on one peticular beach every you look there are flakes of almost every material .... You can tell they are pieces that were chipped away during making the points ... I would look for signs of that or a dead giveaway is if I find any pottery you can bet there was atleast a small camp nearby. Here's a few pics of the flakes I'm referring too .... Good luck

 

[The Grim Reaper]

You first and foremost need to check your states laws on digging for artifacts before you put the first shovel in the ground.

 

[BrettCo124]

Thanks arrow86, and Grim Reaper for your concerns. I will most certainly be checking the laws of the area. I think I'm going to stick to just scanning the beach anyways since I have had good luck so far.

So, here is what I believe to be flakes, but I've never really had anyone confirm flakes for me before. Perhaps you can? Also, the last pic is of a piece of pottery. But it could very well be modern.

 

[BrettCo124]

Oh, and lastly, here is a different looking stone I took home just in case...

 

[diggingthe1]

If you are able to dig, look for darker dirt from fire pits, those are good spots.

 

[arrow86]

First 2 pics look good I would say the rest are natural

 

[BrettCo124]

Thank you all! That's good news for me then.

Would you then consider the spot I am in (flakes and 2 arrowheads so far) a decent indicator of an area that was once occupied? Or at least an area that would appear to be a decent area to continue to find arrowheads?