Questions about your ndn artifact hunting

[GirlWithWolf]

I’m writing an essay and chose the topic of hunting and collecting Indian artifacts. I’m wanting to include the experience of others and show the typical and unique. For those that don’t mind taking a few minutes of your time I’d appreciate you answering the following questions, and feel free to elaborate.

1) Did your motivation to hunt Indian artifacts start after you found one, or did you get the urge to go hunting before finding your first?

2) Which artifacts do you consider the best finds, such as arrowheads, spearheads, axes, etc?

3) Which is more important to you, the type of tool or the age?

4) Do you leave them behind or take them? (No wrong answer here, I personally leave them where I found them but don’t see a problem with collecting them, and do have a few of my own)

5) For those that don’t leave them behind, do you do it to collect, or sell/trade? Both? If both what determines keeping vs selling?

6) Have you ever used an artifact you’ve found? If so, why, and what did you think about it and how did it work out?

7) What is the age of artifacts that interest you the most? Such as recent ones, like arrowheads that might have been used during westward expansion or older ones from the Paleo Indians, as an example?

Thanks in advance!

GWW aka Maggie

Mods- I stuck this in this forum so sorry if it’s the wrong one.

 

[CreekSide]

Good questions
1. I accidentally found one while I was fishing. Fishing is terrible here so I look for artifacts now.
2. I like all of them a good variety is always fun.
3. I don’t find many old ones so I will say the type.
4. I keep them but usually leave the pottery and cores behind unless they are beautiful.
5. I keep mine but have traded or given them away before.
6. Never have
7. Woodland period

 

[GirlWithWolf]

Good questions
1. I accidentally found one while I was fishing. Fishing is terrible here so I look for artifacts now.
2. I like all of them a good variety is always fun.
3. I don’t find many old ones so I will say the type.
4. I keep them but usually leave the pottery and cores behind unless they are beautiful.
5. I keep mine but have traded or given them away before.
6. Never have
7. Woodland period

Thank you!

 

[CreekSide]

Thank you!

I might add I’ve never dug before all my finds are surface and creek.

 

[Blackfoot58]

1) before I found one
2) all are equal to me
3) type & general condition
4) I take them
5) most are from farm fields. If I leave them they get more damage from farm equipment. Also, they are historical recoveries. I feel they should be shown and shared.
6) I’ve cut paper with a blade edge to see how sharp it was
7) older ones, by a narrow margin

 

[newnan man]

1. My older brother got me interested.
2. I like arrowheads best. Especially Florida coral points.
3. Type
4. I bring home everything, mostly broken is what I find.
5. I keep all personal finds and those of my brother & friends. I've purchased some nice points over the years and don't mind selling those.
6. No
7. Archaic period is my favorite, especially here in Florida.
Be sure to post your completed essay.

 

[ToddsPoint]

1. A friend started buying and hunting flint artifacts in 1985. I was skeptical there were artifacts laying in farm fields to be found. I joined him and was pleasantly surprised to find them.
4-5. I keep what I find. I don’t buy or sell authentic artifacts. I have purchased just 2-3.
6. I’ve knapped flint since 1985 and make my own flint points. I can make whatever I want. I’ve hafted knives and points and have used them for skinning deer, coyotes, and one beaver. I’ve made celts annd other hardstone anrtifacts and hafted and used them. I’ve been into experimental archaeology for 40 yrs. Below is a knife I made from flint I found in Lyon Co KY.
7. My biggest interest was replicating Clovis, Folsom, and Cumberland fluted points. I chipped nothing but fluted points for 10 yrs. I’ve made hundreds of them.

 

[Tnmountains]

1. Found some as a child still have them.Sparked an interest to look for them
2.Arrowheads/tools
3. Age.
4. They come home with me.
5. Keep them to learn and study. Never buy never sell keep a clean local collection.
6. No
7. Paleo and Archaic including transitional pieces.

 

[robertk]

1) Did your motivation to hunt Indian artifacts start after you found one, or did you get the urge to go hunting before finding your first?

After. My brother and I found a marvelous Clovis point just lying on a trail in the woods when I was a kid, and I've been hooked ever since.

2) Which artifacts do you consider the best finds, such as arrowheads, spearheads, axes, etc?

I've always called them arrowheads, but I guess the ones I find are really probably spearheads.

3) Which is more important to you, the type of tool or the age?

I don't think it matters much. If I had to choose I'd say type.

4) Do you leave them behind or take them?

Take them. What good do they do anyone lost in the ground?

5) For those that don’t leave them behind, do you do it to collect, or sell/trade?

Collect. I've never sold one.

6) Have you ever used an artifact you’ve found?

No.

7) What is the age of artifacts that interest you the most?

Again, doesn't really matter, but if I had to choose I'd say older.

 

[GirlWithWolf]

Thanks to everyone for the answers! They are all very helpful and I appreciate it. It was also fun learning about each of you.

One thing I forgot to mention, if anyone has a good question I should include please share it here.

Thanks again.

 

[dowser]

Thanks to everyone for the answers! They are all very helpful and I appreciate it. It was also fun learning about each of you.

One thing I forgot to mention, if anyone has a good question I should include please share it here.

Thanks again.

My first find was a palm sized axe found while digging a dog grave, on the shore of lake Huron, Michigan, when I was a kid. Didn't know what it was, didn't care. My sister still has it.
Since then lots of cool finds, and stories.
I was living in Arizona at the time, and just about everywhere you can find flakes & pottery pieces.
I was doing work for someone that collected stuff like that, and mentioned a great spot on the rim of Clear Creek along 260. We went for a few hrs, and he was very happy. He had collected a full quart bag full of pottery pieces, none over an inch or two, like usual.. He collected and mostly paid for all kinds of arrowheads, blades, stone tooling, pottery, and had it all in display boxes. It was quite a collection, but he didn't have any pottery chips I guess. He was so grateful for me showing the spot, he gave me a Dinosaur egg, in a glass container..
I don't know about people selling, Its always been a little hobby, to look down at times. And it's cool to see and find them.

 

[Jatrox]

1) I have native lineage and grew up in plains Indian country so I've always been hooked but a school field trip to an Indian village museum got me interested in hunting artifacts.
2) Any and all. My favorites are what I consider utilitarian like abraders, metates, pestles, awls, etc
3) Type of artifact
4) I rescue them. I fear if they aren't rescued they will be destroyed
5) I cherish them all and display and teach others with them. I would never sell an artifact. I'm just the current steward of the history
6) I have thought about hafting a knife but decided not to. I did cut a piece of leather with it do demonstrate how effective it is
7) Any and all

 

[russau]

I feel like a newbe to this there is ssssoooo much to learn ! But I've been doing this off and on since the early 60's after being prompted to do so by my aunt when I stayed with my Uncle and Aunt in Litchfield Il. I spent my Summers with them helping out on their farm with chores and my Aunt suggested that I go our and look for arrow heads in the neighbors pasture (I had permission from him to look ) anyway here goes. 1)0 I was fascinated by the idea of finding a Indian arrow head and ran out looking . Never found any but the idea was cemented in my head still today! 2) My favorite and only artifact (0 is a flint Az I found in a creek in Warrenton Mo. 3)I love them all even homemade points that I messed up in my knapping attempt. 4) I'd keep them all if I were to find another !5) If I were to find some items I'd keep them for a display OR I'd give them to my friends to spark their interest ! I love showing them ! 6) I have never used my one and only artifact if it truly is a actual artifact. 7) Age doesn't matter to me, all of the artifacts spark my interest and spur my imagination as to it's history , What ,Where, Why ,and How ! Right now I am like a spung and want to soak in all of the info I can press into my little ole brain . This is a neat survey and it has made me reflect back to my younger years ! THANK YOU !

 

[GirlWithWolf]

He was so grateful for me showing the spot, he gave me a Dinosaur egg, in a glass container..

Thanks Dowser. That’s cool about the egg.

4) I rescue them. I fear if they aren't rescued they will be destroyed

This is why I don’t see a problem with others taking them. They’d just be destroyed or lost to history forever.

This is a neat survey and it has made me reflect back to my younger years ! THANK YOU !

You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed the trip down memory lane. This made me think that one day this site will be a history of us like artifacts are a history of people before us. If one doesn’t already exist, a “history of us” thread might be interesting.

 

[Lone Star]

I’m writing an essay and chose the topic of hunting and collecting Indian artifacts. I’m wanting to include the experience of others and show the typical and unique. For those that don’t mind taking a few minutes of your time I’d appreciate you answering the following questions, and feel free to elaborate.

1) Did your motivation to hunt Indian artifacts start after you found one, or did you get the urge to go hunting before finding your first?
Always chased history, it was part of my character.
2) Which artifacts do you consider the best finds, such as arrowheads, spearheads, axes, etc?
Dart points and blades.
3) Which is more important to you, the type of tool or the age?
I'd say age.
4) Do you leave them behind or take them? (No wrong answer here, I personally leave them where I found them but don’t see a problem with collecting them, and do have a few of my own)
Usually take whole points, leave brokes.
5) For those that don’t leave them behind, do you do it to collect, or sell/trade? Both? If both what determines keeping vs selling?
Both, I can't take them with me, so I'm selling as I feel like it.
6) Have you ever used an artifact you’ve found? If so, why, and what did you think about it and how did it work out?
No
7) What is the age of artifacts that interest you the most? Such as recent ones, like arrowheads that might have been used during westward expansion or older ones from the Paleo Indians, as an example?

I like the early Archaic and Transitional Paleo best.

Thanks in advance!

GWW aka Maggie

Mods- I stuck this in this forum so sorry if it’s the wrong one.

 

[Timbermaster]

Growing up, native projectile points were common finds and all the kids had a pocket full. We made our own arrows out of them and shot them all over creation. No one thought of collecting them! Had we known they would become rare and valuable….

 

[The Lonely Explorer]

I’m writing an essay and chose the topic of hunting and collecting Indian artifacts. I’m wanting to include the experience of others and show the typical and unique. For those that don’t mind taking a few minutes of your time I’d appreciate you answering the following questions, and feel free to elaborate.

1) Did your motivation to hunt Indian artifacts start after you found one, or did you get the urge to go hunting before finding your first?

2) Which artifacts do you consider the best finds, such as arrowheads, spearheads, axes, etc?

3) Which is more important to you, the type of tool or the age?

4) Do you leave them behind or take them? (No wrong answer here, I personally leave them where I found them but don’t see a problem with collecting them, and do have a few of my own)

5) For those that don’t leave them behind, do you do it to collect, or sell/trade? Both? If both what determines keeping vs selling?

6) Have you ever used an artifact you’ve found? If so, why, and what did you think about it and how did it work out?

7) What is the age of artifacts that interest you the most? Such as recent ones, like arrowheads that might have been used during westward expansion or older ones from the Paleo Indians, as an example?

Thanks in advance!

GWW aka Maggie

Mods- I stuck this in this forum so sorry if it’s the wrong one.

1) I always had a fascination with Native Americans since I was a wee kid. My mom bought me the movie Squanto and Indian the Cupboard when I was around 3, and I watched those on repeat. But I didn't actually get into artifact searching and collection until about 4 years ago. Not having access to land was the biggest reason it took me so long to start looking.


2) My personal favorite artifacts to find are hardstone tools. So, axes, celts, mauls, adzes etc.


3) Personally, I've always been more fascinated with the age of the item vs the type. I've found items ranging all the way from 500years old to 8,000 years old. It's way cooler to hold something that was made looooong ago.


4) If I am on State or Government land, I leave the artifacts be, because it'd be against the law to collect anywhere but private property. On my private land permissions, it's game on.


5) I personally search and collect every piece I have in my collection. I do not buy or sell.


6) Yes. I've used hammer stones I've found to knapp my own arrowheads. It worked just as intended, and was neat to use something a Native American used in the past.


7) Like I said earlier, older the better. My dream is to find a paleo artifact. Someday I will achieve that.

 

[rginn]

#1-My grandpa was an 'arrowhead hunter' and showed me things he'd found. He had the most bizarre explanations for what they were sometimes. I grew up in an area where there was probably a pre- historic settlement in every mile along the waterways and found my first one in the cotton field when I was about 5 or 6.
#2 & 3-They're all pretty cool and age doesn't matter to me, although clovis or folsom would be a plus.
#4 & 5-Sometimes I leave them, sometimes I take them. Depends on what mood I'm in that day I guess. I see nothing wrong with collecting. I didn't even know there was a market for artifacts til I was in my 30's. I don't sell anything.
#6 & 7-I've never re-used anything. I guess the age that has interested me most is about 1,000 to 500 years ago, since mostly that's what I've found. I'm a student of history, and when I come across an artifact, it reminds me there were people here long before present day. I wonder about their lives, what their days were like, and how they used certain tools. I do admire the craftsmanship and the humanity of artifacts.

 

[old digger]

I have enjoyed finding artifacts since at a young kid living in Africa. But my interest was rekindled while I was living in Northeastern Montana by a very nice elderly gentleman. He had a small collection of KRF points.

Every artifact is always special because they are always unique in age and the material used in their manufacture, and what they were used for. I always pick up and keep those artifacts that are worth keeping.

 

[GirlWithWolf]

Another THANK YOU for the replies. I’ve read them all and have been making notes.