Michigan Head Hunter
Monday, September 19, 2011
Summer Is Over But Not Arrowhead Season
Summer may be coming to a close but there is still time to find some arrowheads before the snow flies. This time of year I employ a couple of strategies. First, winter wheat fields are being work up now, providing excellent opportunities for surface collecting. Another possibility is walking the standing corn fields. The leaves are starting to dry out and the bottom of the rows are opening up making it possible if not comfortable to walk up and down the rows. If you try this pay close attention to the root crowns as they tend to push points up to the surface.
It is a beautiful time of year, get out there and find some arrowheads. We have had an inch or better of rain and I hear a wheat field calling my name. Good Luck
Paul Wells
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Surface Collecting v.s. Digging
When I talk to folks about my artifact collection one question I am often asked is "Do you dig for them?". The answer is no I don't. There are a couple of reasons that I am exclusively a surface collector. First I am lazy and walking a plowed field is easier than digging. The most important reason I don't dig is that when artifacts are turned up in a plowed field they are out of context and much of the important archaeological information is already lost, so I am doing no further damage. Even though much of the data valuable to the archaeological record is lost I still follow a few steps with every find in order to preserve as much information as possible.
- I keep a log book of all the artifacts I find in which I record information such as the date, what field I am in, where in the field I found the artifact, a list of any geographical features near by (rivers, streams, large rocks, sandy bluff, etc.)
- I as try to get a picture of the artifact in-situ.
- I use my GPS to plot an exact location
- I give each find a number. My numbering system is easy 3-11F is the third find of 2011. I record this number in the log book entry.
- Finally I put the artifact in a Ziploc bag and mark the number on it.
Items found by digging are often found just as the original makers and users left them providing valuable clues as to how the ancient peoples lived. I cannot tell anyone not to dig for Indian artifacts but I would discourage it unless you are familiar with the methods to properly record what you find. What holds great value for professional archaeologist is of no interest to the relic hunter, but is lost when a site is subject to indiscriminate digging. Archaeologist collect and catalog every bone fragment, piece charcoal, and every seed they find these things may not sound like much but provide a window into to the ancient peoples daily life. I you would like to dig for artifacts, it is a good idea to join your local archaeological society. Local archaeological clubs are often involved with digs along side professional archaeologist providing an excellent opportunity to learn the ropes.
No matter the method of collecting you choose to employ remember you are preserving a piece of history. In my opinion the more complete the record of any collection the more value that collection has. Keep good records for the sake of generations to come.Paul Wells
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Arrowhead Hunting in Michigan
Currently in Michigan the crops are covering the fields making the surface collection of Native American artifacts more difficult, this however doesn't keep me from getting out there and looking. Even though finds are fewer and farther between summer arrowhead hunting can be a enjoyable productive pursuit. You simply need to adapt your strategy to match the conditions. Here is what I do.
- Rivers and streams are normally low this time of year so I will walk exposed stream bed and gravel bars looking for artifacts in the material deposited by the spring floods.
- Dry drainage ditches that run through farm land can be productive locations especially after a heavy rain.
- I search any area where erosion is naturally occurring, hillsides and slopes any where that the ground is exposed.
- Man made disturbances of the soil including, construction sites (with permission), dirtbike tracks, horse riding trails ect... can expose artifacts.
- I like to search blowouts areas in sandy soil where the wind moves the sand.
- Last, but not least I just keep my eyes on the ground every where I go.