DownNDirty
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2015
- Messages
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- Location
- South Carolina
- 🥇 Banner finds
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- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Equinox 800
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
Last Saturday my local river was pretty low and it had a been a while since I had perused the sandbars that have produced so many artifacts and relics in the past, so I set out in my jon boat for a day of adventure. I was not disappointed. Most of the productive bars produced extremely well, and some really nice ones at that-like this rim sherd
I went home with a lot of pottery sherds very pleased with the day's results and thinking I was done. Until I checked on the water level Sunday and realized that the river had dropped even lower. So I had to go back-I had no choice, right? Back on the river the pottery finds continued, along with a few bottles and shards
Back at work Monday I couldn't help but wonder where the pottery sherds were washing out above the best sandbar; once again the river was calling me back. After work I launched the boat again and headed for the spot. While I was unable to locate the source I waded the gravel bar with my polarized sunglasses on and found a few more sherds
Then it happened. As I was wading a deeper area I spotted a large object partially buried in the sand and grave so I picked it up. It was a completely intact stoneware jug! Not a chip or crack on it.
I knew it was early, and BillD of Va correctly placed it in the early 1800s (thanks Bill). I later learned from another friend with a lot of knowledge on the subject that the jug is an early example of what is known as Edgefield pottery-from the time period of 1810-1850. These stonewares were made in Edgefield, SC by slave laborers and are rare and highly collectible. I confirmed with a knowledgeable archaeologist that my jug is indeed an Edgefield and although he does not do appraisals he said it is probably worth in excess of $1,000. Funny, all of the sudden my wife is interested in the stuff I bring back from the river and is encouraging me to go back. Hmmmm...
As a side note a couple of years ago I found a complete black glass bottle (circa 1760-1780) on another sandbar in the same river. Needless to say the river has been good to me-and that in addition to some great fishing!
Monday's finds fresh from the river
Here are some of the better sherds from the three-day marathon. The coin for size reference is a quarter
...and all of the "loot"
I love just being on the river especially this time of year. But the experience is so much better when I find the goodies. What a fantastic three days it was!
I went home with a lot of pottery sherds very pleased with the day's results and thinking I was done. Until I checked on the water level Sunday and realized that the river had dropped even lower. So I had to go back-I had no choice, right? Back on the river the pottery finds continued, along with a few bottles and shards
Back at work Monday I couldn't help but wonder where the pottery sherds were washing out above the best sandbar; once again the river was calling me back. After work I launched the boat again and headed for the spot. While I was unable to locate the source I waded the gravel bar with my polarized sunglasses on and found a few more sherds
Then it happened. As I was wading a deeper area I spotted a large object partially buried in the sand and grave so I picked it up. It was a completely intact stoneware jug! Not a chip or crack on it.
I knew it was early, and BillD of Va correctly placed it in the early 1800s (thanks Bill). I later learned from another friend with a lot of knowledge on the subject that the jug is an early example of what is known as Edgefield pottery-from the time period of 1810-1850. These stonewares were made in Edgefield, SC by slave laborers and are rare and highly collectible. I confirmed with a knowledgeable archaeologist that my jug is indeed an Edgefield and although he does not do appraisals he said it is probably worth in excess of $1,000. Funny, all of the sudden my wife is interested in the stuff I bring back from the river and is encouraging me to go back. Hmmmm...
As a side note a couple of years ago I found a complete black glass bottle (circa 1760-1780) on another sandbar in the same river. Needless to say the river has been good to me-and that in addition to some great fishing!
Monday's finds fresh from the river
Here are some of the better sherds from the three-day marathon. The coin for size reference is a quarter
...and all of the "loot"
I love just being on the river especially this time of year. But the experience is so much better when I find the goodies. What a fantastic three days it was!
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