Posted on 02/19/2007 5:31:38 AM PST by TXnMA
Stefan Lovgren
for National Geographic News
February 15, 2007
Crude stone "tools" found in northern Minnesota may be at least 13,000 years old, a team of archaeologists recently announced.
The discovery, if confirmed, would put the objects among the oldest human artifacts ever found in the Americas.
The team found about 50 such objects during a routine survey for road construction in the town of Walker, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Park Rapids.
The finds include what appear to be a large hammerstone, beveled scrapers, rudimentary choppers, a crude knife, and numerous flakes that could have been used for cutting.
"We were certainly very surprised to find these objects here," said Matt Mattson, a biologist and archaeologist who has been working as a contractor for the Leech Lake Heritage Sites program, based near Cass Lake, Minnesota.
But the late Ice Age relics still need to be positively dated and confirmed as human-made before the stones' significance can be established, Mattson and other experts caution.
David Meltzer is an archaeologist at Southern Methodist University in Texas. He said that "there's simply no way to gauge the significance of the discovery until some reliable dates are obtained, and until it's shown that these are truly artifacts."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.nationalgeographic.com ...
This stone tool deal is nothing. We've got living, breathing neanderthals over at the Capital in St. Paul and they're running this goofy state.
I echo what Brilliant said. And get that agreement in writing.
There are a lot of good books out there with the information you are looking for. My father has many of them. He has been hunting arrowheads for years and has some very unusual ones. One is in the shape of an eagle, which was only used for ceremonies. We spend Sunday afternoons hunting together. A very enjoyable activity.
It is definitely worthwhile to have it checked by a professional archaeologist.
Get in contact with The North Carolina Archaeological Society. They are closely affiliated with the State Archaeologist's office and UNC.
Even if the site doesn't rise to the level of significance that would justify the pros bringing in a crew and excavating it, I bet the Society would help you lay it out in a grid and teach you how to excavate properly and record your info. And, I bet they would have some local members who would be more than happy to lend a hand!
If you own the land, you own the artifacts (at least, that's true here in TX).
Just think of the fun you could have doing your own "scientific dig" -- at your own pace.! (...and with some new-found and knowledgable friends...) And, I'm sure the pros would be glad to receive and archive any data or photos, etc. you might produce.
Go for it! That's how I got started -- and I have been a member ot the Texas Archeological Society for forty (40) years, now. Serious amateur (or "avocational") archaeologists are some of the finest and most enjoyable folks I know!!!
TXnMA
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Texas Archeological Steward
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Fritz! Sole member of the "Lost in all 50" club.
True. In fact, that is true of us modern flintknappers, as well.
OTOH, folks whose lithic technology level was no better than that illustrated by the posted photo would certainly been ill-equipped to make the trip -- and survive.
Looks like a photo of a handful of my own handiwork...
All personal finds from eroded lakeshores, motorcycle trails, plowed fields, and construction sites.
Its been a while since Ive found anything good though.
I think they will find after cursory inspection of this item that it is the brain of Al Franken, lost after a pre-campaign listening tour designed to mirror Hillary Clinton's tour in which she would not speak.
I'm not sure about most of them, but one looks like a quarter. Go figure.
Im no expert but would say the following are Indian artifacts: #2,9,10,13,14,23.
If you keep looking I bet you find something really good.
PS: Here is a website you might find interesting:
http://www.thetreasuredepot.com/cgi-bin/indian/indian_config.pl
I thought that looked like (central) Texas stuff!
I don't advise picking up artifacts "from eroded lakeshores", though. Most major Texas lakes were built (and are owned) by the Corps of Engineers. That means they are Federal land -- and removal of artifacts therefrom is prohibited by Federal law. I know for a fact that the Corps had been arresting (and fining/incarcerating -- and confiscating the boats and vehicles of) folks they catch "artifact hunting" on Texas lakeshores.
bump
I would pretty much guess its those who are digging that they are really after.
Such as the men in the boat that were using their motor to dredge..lol
Otherwise I wouldnt worry too much about it if you are "beachcombing."
any human remains yet found with these tools?
Lately they've been finding caucasian remains predating Indian remains and that is making some people very upset.
PS: Those are North Central Texas, within a 150 mile radius of DFW.
Have you been able to knapp any alibates?
That stuff is beautiful.
Sometimes you can get rough on ebay, nothing good out there right now though.
In Minnesota? None that I've heard about...
Is the Craftsman replacement warranty still good?
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