12/28/04
Today we went to 2 creeks in Warren County, MO. First we went to
old faithful, there is always been something for us to rescue. Today produced
a nice hand tool (todays photo feature), some call a scraper. I refer to
it as a hand tool and future knife blade. When first made it would be used
for butchering and for scraping the hide or bones. All it needed was a
whack or two with a billet and one would have a suitable, sharp edge for
most jobs. I have learned how tools evolved to blades from my own experience
in flint knapping, plus a lot of new cusswords. I’ll talk about flint knapping
in another email and I will include some shots of my finished pieces.
The first picture is awesome, at least to me. Notice how all the
rocks have the same features, the smallest part of the rock is at the top,
facing down the current, this is a good example of how the current pushes
rocks into the piles and gravel bars. The current would enter the picture
on the left side and exit towards the top right corner, see all the rocks
lined up in that direction. Hmmm….interesting. Now where do you look for
artifacts in a creek? First just start looking for rocks the same size,
shape, and weight as an artifact. See where and how they lay in the creek
and start hunting. Do you see the artifact in this first pic? (without
cheating?)
I have included pictures of a beaver dam on this creek (good sign
for artifacts), the days total finds from 2 creeks, and me in my Christmas
present from my wife standing next to my bro-in-law Steve (found the Dalton).
12/28/03---- second entry
Joe Maher found a new creek for us to walk in Warren County. At
first it seemed like it might carry to much current to find artifacts,
at least compared to the other creek we walk just a few miles away. But
we continue to have luck and find something in every creek we explore,
good piece or not, at least something turns up to keep us motivated. Today
seemed about the same, I found about 3/4 of a hand tool made of some heat
treated flint, the piece was about 4 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1/2
inch thick. We walked a short distance and turned back thinking it may
not produce decent artifacts because of the size and flow of the creek.
We got to the path to go up the hill and decided to stay in the creek a
little longer and walk down the creek going the other direction. 100 yards
later Joe finds this 5" Etley, exceptional piece to come from a creek of
this size. I made sure to get his new t-shirt in the picture. The Etley
is under his left hand, if you haven't already noticed. Creek walking still
amazes me everytime I go, makes it hard to sleep the night before, which
I am sure if you read this whole story, you totally understand what I mean. |
