Topic ID #3463 - posted 5/22/2008 3:34 PM
Charlie Hatchett
What's your favorite find?
Charlie Hatchett
What's your favorite find, either on your own time or while working professionally? We've got 1184 registered users on this forum, and probably just as many lurkers, and I know some must be holding out. :wink:
Post ID#7914 - replied 5/22/2008 4:59 PM
prisoner
One of my favorite finds was on a dig up in Wyoming. We found preserved bison footprints about 30 cm below the ground surface. The prints were in the clay and then filled in with silt and sand from subsequent flooding. We found them at various depths. There was nothing surprising about it, since obviously there were lots of bison around in the past, and certainly by the rivers. But, I still found it neat, and have never come across them since.
My latest interesting find was a set of dinosaur footprints in limestone, in a river bed. Again nothing unusual, but it was a first for me. Of course it has now ruined conversations for me when people ask me what kind of dinosaur stuff I find as an archeologist, since I now have to answer "[sigh]yes I have have found dinosaur stuff."
My latest interesting find was a set of dinosaur footprints in limestone, in a river bed. Again nothing unusual, but it was a first for me. Of course it has now ruined conversations for me when people ask me what kind of dinosaur stuff I find as an archeologist, since I now have to answer "[sigh]yes I have have found dinosaur stuff."
Post ID#7915 - replied 5/22/2008 5:24 PM
Charlie Hatchett
Of course it has now ruined conversations for me when people ask me what kind of dinosaur stuff I find as an archeologist, since I now have to answer "[sigh]yes I have have found dinosaur stuff."
:lol:
But it's true. A lot of archs run across paleontology stuff. There's an arch on another board that I chat with occasionally that found some kind of rare dino skeleton while out doing her arch stuff. She's dropped her arch work for a bit to excavate the sucker.
I found this possible Mosasaur deposited in Cretaceous strata about 200 meters upstream from the site I'm studying:
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone122.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone123.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone124.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone125.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone126.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone127.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone128.jpg
:lol:
But it's true. A lot of archs run across paleontology stuff. There's an arch on another board that I chat with occasionally that found some kind of rare dino skeleton while out doing her arch stuff. She's dropped her arch work for a bit to excavate the sucker.
I found this possible Mosasaur deposited in Cretaceous strata about 200 meters upstream from the site I'm studying:
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone122.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone123.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone124.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone125.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone126.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone127.jpg
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/bone128.jpg
Post ID#7916 - replied 5/22/2008 5:36 PM
Circumambulate
the old line 'if I told you I would have to kill you' applies :twisted: but one of my favorite finds was a cluster of lithic tools including an awl, small (< 1cm in length) obsidian projectile point, and a vivid red (heat treated) projectile point out in the Nevada Desert. Somebody lost their tool bag.
Always wanted to find an awl. My dream come true....
Always wanted to find an awl. My dream come true....
Post ID#7918 - replied 5/22/2008 6:43 PM
Charlie Hatchett
[quote:="Circumambulate"]...and a vivid red (heat treated) projectile point...
I love some of the heat-treated, tranluscent stuff. I would just s**t if I found something like this:
I love some of the heat-treated, tranluscent stuff. I would just s**t if I found something like this:
Post ID#7919 - replied 5/22/2008 6:57 PM
Charlie Hatchett
[quote:="DesertRat"]Found and recorded two Folsom camps in some dunes ringing a small "playa". At the first site, there was, in addition to all the other stuff, a Folsom point right at the edge of a well defined hearth with lots of charcoal. At the second, there were at least two probable activity areas, one of which was in a blowout with several hearths and some partial Folsom points.
One thing I've figured out in the short time I've been "playing in my sandbox" is Folsom points are rare, rare, rare...especially complete ones. Rarer than Clovis it seems. Every seen the price of one of those suckers on a collector's board?
http://www.paperedpoints.com/dwainrogers.html
Anyway, I'm sure your Folsom finds were quite the thrill, Bob.
Especially finding them in situ. 8-)
One thing I've figured out in the short time I've been "playing in my sandbox" is Folsom points are rare, rare, rare...especially complete ones. Rarer than Clovis it seems. Every seen the price of one of those suckers on a collector's board?
http://www.paperedpoints.com/dwainrogers.html
Anyway, I'm sure your Folsom finds were quite the thrill, Bob.
Especially finding them in situ. 8-)
Post ID#7920 - replied 5/22/2008 7:44 PM
prisoner
The Chispa Creek site in west Texas had over a hundred complete Folsom points. They are stored, along with the other site materials, at the University of Colorado. There is very little information about that site and it is reported that nothing of interest remains at the site.
Post ID#7921 - replied 5/22/2008 8:04 PM
Charlie Hatchett
[quote:="prisoner"]The Chispa Creek site in west Texas had over a hundred complete Folsom points. They are stored, along with the other site materials, at the University of Colorado. There is very little information about that site and it is reported that nothing of interest remains at the site.
Sounds like the site may have been a popular ambush spot. :?
Then again, with that many complete points, it may have been a hunting camp...
Regardless, that's a buttload of complete Folsom points. :shock:
Sounds like the site may have been a popular ambush spot. :?
Then again, with that many complete points, it may have been a hunting camp...
Regardless, that's a buttload of complete Folsom points. :shock:
Post ID#7922 - replied 5/22/2008 8:10 PM
Charlie Hatchett
Here's a bit I found online concerning The Chispa Creek Site:
Past and Present at the Chispa Creek Folsom Site, Culberson County, Texas
John D. Seebach
The Chispa Creek Folsom (10,800-10,200 B.P.) site, discovered and excavated by Joe Ben Wheat, has been commonly acknowledged as a major Paleoindian site for some 40 years. Wheat's findings were never published, and consequently, little is presently known about the Paleoindian occupation at the site. Renewed fieldwork, entailing both survey and excavation, was carried out at Chispa Creek in 2002. This reinvestigation found the site continues to yield evidence of Folsom occupation, though from secondary surface contexts. Both past and present research at Chispa Creek are reviewed and hypotheses offered about the Paleoindian occupation of far West Texas.
http://www.sulross.edu/cbbs/jbbs16.php
Past and Present at the Chispa Creek Folsom Site, Culberson County, Texas
John D. Seebach
The Chispa Creek Folsom (10,800-10,200 B.P.) site, discovered and excavated by Joe Ben Wheat, has been commonly acknowledged as a major Paleoindian site for some 40 years. Wheat's findings were never published, and consequently, little is presently known about the Paleoindian occupation at the site. Renewed fieldwork, entailing both survey and excavation, was carried out at Chispa Creek in 2002. This reinvestigation found the site continues to yield evidence of Folsom occupation, though from secondary surface contexts. Both past and present research at Chispa Creek are reviewed and hypotheses offered about the Paleoindian occupation of far West Texas.
http://www.sulross.edu/cbbs/jbbs16.php
Post ID#7923 - replied 5/22/2008 8:25 PM
Troy
In answer to your original question, Charlie, my favorite was an intact pot that was sticking out of a creek bank. I had taken a break from a meeting and walked outside to get a breath of fresh air. Low and behold, there it was, about two feet down the bank, sticking out of the sand. It seems like your eyes get trained to pick up things that you are interested in.
Post ID#7925 - replied 5/22/2008 8:42 PM
Charlie Hatchett
[quote:="Troy"]In answer to your original question, Charlie, my favorite was an intact pot that was sticking out of a creek bank. I had taken a break from a meeting and walked outside to get a breath of fresh air. Low and behold, there it was, about two feet down the bank, sticking out of the sand. It seems like your eyes get trained to pick up things that you are interested in.
Another rarity, for sure: an intact pot. That has always amazed me. Were you able to determine which culture made it?
Another rarity, for sure: an intact pot. That has always amazed me. Were you able to determine which culture made it?
Post ID#7931 - replied 5/22/2008 9:03 PM
Troy
Charlie,
You asked me if I could identify the culture. No. I really wish I had the knowledge to do so. I e-mailed the head achaeologist at USC to find out if he would be interested in the site and would help in identifying the bowl. I never got a reply. I'm just an amateur, but the subject of archaeology fascinates me. This is my favorite site on the web.
Troy
You asked me if I could identify the culture. No. I really wish I had the knowledge to do so. I e-mailed the head achaeologist at USC to find out if he would be interested in the site and would help in identifying the bowl. I never got a reply. I'm just an amateur, but the subject of archaeology fascinates me. This is my favorite site on the web.
Troy
Post ID#7932 - replied 5/22/2008 9:04 PM
Charlie Hatchett
[quote:="DesertRat"][quote:="Charlie Hatchett"][One thing I've figured out in the short time I've been "playing in my sandbox" is Folsom points are rare, rare, rare...especially complete ones. Rarer than Clovis it seems. Every seen the price of one of those suckers on a collector's board?
Anyway, I'm sure your Folsom finds were quite the thrill, Bob.
Especially finding them in situ. 8-)
Yeah, finding them in an open site with good integrity was a rush. Otherwise, I figure points are like 12 ga. shells or 30.06 cartridge casings; you can find 'em anywhere.
I don't want to always be a contrary little cuss, but in southern New Mexico, Folsoms are not rare finds. Especially in the Tularosa Basin and the Hueco Bolson. We see lots of Midlands, too. Also, I am starting to pay attention to some bases that are...hmmm...Plainview or Midland. Toss a coin. Or come back and ask me tomorrow. They're that close.
Bob
I guess I'm speaking from a central Texas perspective. I didn't realize Folsom points were so common in New Mexico.
Also, I am starting to pay attention to some bases that are...hmmm...Plainview or Midland. Toss a coin. Or come back and ask me tomorrow. They're that close.
An interesting bit from Mike Collins:
Evidence recovered from an enigmatic “Bone Bed” component suggesting that Folsom and Plainview intervals may be more contemporary than sequential. The component appears similar to Folsom in terms of lithic technology (eg., ultra-thin bifaces) and association with bison, but it dated to approximately 11,400 to 11,000 B.C., earlier than Folsom, contained a single unclassifiable, unfluted projectile point.
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/plateaus/images/ap5.html
In other words: preClovis or Clovis age:
Using this tentative calibration (11), we estimated that Clovis has a maximum possible date range of 13,250 to 12,800 calendar yr B.P.—a span of 450 calendar years (Fig. 2). By taking the youngest possible calibrated age for the oldest Clovis site and the oldest possible calibrated age for the youngest Clovis site, a minimum range for Clovis is calculated as 13,125 to 12,925 calendar yr B.P.—a span of 200 calendar years. The ages for all Clovis sites overlap within this 200-year period, and this time span probably represents the true range of Clovis.
Redefining the Age of Clovis: Implications for the Peopling
of the Americas
Michael R. Waters1* and Thomas W. Stafford Jr.2
23 FEBRUARY 2007 VOL 315 SCIENCE
Found and recorded two Folsom camps in some dunes ringing a small "playa". At the first site, there was, in addition to all the other stuff, a Folsom point right at the edge of a well defined hearth with lots of charcoal. At the second, there were at least two probable activity areas, one of which was in a blowout with several hearths and some partial Folsom points.
Were ya'll able to get funding to date the charcoal?
Anyway, I'm sure your Folsom finds were quite the thrill, Bob.
Especially finding them in situ. 8-)
Yeah, finding them in an open site with good integrity was a rush. Otherwise, I figure points are like 12 ga. shells or 30.06 cartridge casings; you can find 'em anywhere.
I don't want to always be a contrary little cuss, but in southern New Mexico, Folsoms are not rare finds. Especially in the Tularosa Basin and the Hueco Bolson. We see lots of Midlands, too. Also, I am starting to pay attention to some bases that are...hmmm...Plainview or Midland. Toss a coin. Or come back and ask me tomorrow. They're that close.
Bob
I guess I'm speaking from a central Texas perspective. I didn't realize Folsom points were so common in New Mexico.
Also, I am starting to pay attention to some bases that are...hmmm...Plainview or Midland. Toss a coin. Or come back and ask me tomorrow. They're that close.
An interesting bit from Mike Collins:
Evidence recovered from an enigmatic “Bone Bed” component suggesting that Folsom and Plainview intervals may be more contemporary than sequential. The component appears similar to Folsom in terms of lithic technology (eg., ultra-thin bifaces) and association with bison, but it dated to approximately 11,400 to 11,000 B.C., earlier than Folsom, contained a single unclassifiable, unfluted projectile point.
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/plateaus/images/ap5.html
In other words: preClovis or Clovis age:
Using this tentative calibration (11), we estimated that Clovis has a maximum possible date range of 13,250 to 12,800 calendar yr B.P.—a span of 450 calendar years (Fig. 2). By taking the youngest possible calibrated age for the oldest Clovis site and the oldest possible calibrated age for the youngest Clovis site, a minimum range for Clovis is calculated as 13,125 to 12,925 calendar yr B.P.—a span of 200 calendar years. The ages for all Clovis sites overlap within this 200-year period, and this time span probably represents the true range of Clovis.
Redefining the Age of Clovis: Implications for the Peopling
of the Americas
Michael R. Waters1* and Thomas W. Stafford Jr.2
23 FEBRUARY 2007 VOL 315 SCIENCE
Found and recorded two Folsom camps in some dunes ringing a small "playa". At the first site, there was, in addition to all the other stuff, a Folsom point right at the edge of a well defined hearth with lots of charcoal. At the second, there were at least two probable activity areas, one of which was in a blowout with several hearths and some partial Folsom points.
Were ya'll able to get funding to date the charcoal?
Post ID#7934 - replied 5/22/2008 10:08 PM
joneseri
I did my field school in Historical archaeology at a Civil War era fort and one of the best finds was this quarter. I don't remember what year it was from exactly but I think 1840's. I also found US military Ordinance Corps dress uniform button. Odd since supposedly the fort we were working at never had an Ordinance Corps unit stationed there.....no picture of it though
Post ID#7936 - replied 5/22/2008 10:35 PM
Charlie Hatchett
Nice. And a lot of silver, ey? 8-)
Post ID#7939 - replied 5/22/2008 10:54 PM
Charlie Hatchett
[quote:="DesertRat"]
It was just a survey. The site is obviously significant, based on the surface assemblage and features, and it's not endangered, so no reason to dig it.
Bob
Roger that.
It was just a survey. The site is obviously significant, based on the surface assemblage and features, and it's not endangered, so no reason to dig it.
Bob
Roger that.
Post ID#7941 - replied 5/23/2008 1:13 AM
shan
the little pond where I caught that catfish-I call it my pond-(but so do a few of my friends now)it's on an abanded farm owned by a golf course a mile away-n I only got caught once in five years!
and my own back yard!
-but momma-thats where the fun is!!!
and my own back yard!
-but momma-thats where the fun is!!!
Post ID#7943 - replied 5/23/2008 1:29 AM
shan
and my gold rock-I found a piece of quartz as a child-with a little gold vein goin all the way through it-I love it
Post ID#7944 - replied 5/23/2008 1:30 AM
shan
n my eagle head that I threw in the fire
Post ID#7961 - replied 5/23/2008 3:15 PM
Charlie Hatchett
Bob,
A continuation about Folsom, Midland, and Plainview points:
Do you think Midlands are just variants of Folsom? You know, maybe retarded guys, like myself, that couldn't flute their pieces? :lol:
A continuation about Folsom, Midland, and Plainview points:
Do you think Midlands are just variants of Folsom? You know, maybe retarded guys, like myself, that couldn't flute their pieces? :lol:
Post ID#7963 - replied 5/23/2008 4:03 PM
Charlie Hatchett
[quote:="DesertRat"][quote:="Charlie Hatchett"]Bob,
A continuation about Folsom, Midland, and Plainview points:
Do you think Midlands are just variants of Folsom? You know, maybe retarded guys, like myself, that couldn't flute their pieces? :lol:
Some folks like, I think, Dan Amick, speculate that if someone needs to make a point to replace a lost or broken one, and that guy is out, say, in the middle of the Tularosa Basin with no readily available material sources, he might not risk fluting. But if he's on the fans at the edge of the basin, or over in the Mesilla (Rio Grande) Valley, with all those excellent gravels, he'll go for it. I see them as contemporary. Noel Justice. though, places Midland after Folsom.
Bob
Roger that. Makes sense about not risking it when there isn't any other material readily available.
A continuation about Folsom, Midland, and Plainview points:
Do you think Midlands are just variants of Folsom? You know, maybe retarded guys, like myself, that couldn't flute their pieces? :lol:
Some folks like, I think, Dan Amick, speculate that if someone needs to make a point to replace a lost or broken one, and that guy is out, say, in the middle of the Tularosa Basin with no readily available material sources, he might not risk fluting. But if he's on the fans at the edge of the basin, or over in the Mesilla (Rio Grande) Valley, with all those excellent gravels, he'll go for it. I see them as contemporary. Noel Justice. though, places Midland after Folsom.
Bob
Roger that. Makes sense about not risking it when there isn't any other material readily available.
Post ID#7964 - replied 5/23/2008 4:35 PM
Charlie Hatchett
Here's one of my favorite finds:
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/afw302.jpg
Clovis Point- 1 15/16"- Dorsal View- Lima-Igl
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/afw299.jpg
Clovis Point- 1 15/16"- Ventral View- Lima-Igl
I'm sitting here pondering the differences and similarities between Clovis, Midland and Folsom:
Differences:
1. The flutes are longer on Folsom and nonexistent on Midland.
2. Folsom and Midland usually seem thinner than Clovis.
3. Folsom has parallel edges.
Similarities:
1. Base curvature
2. Same general silhouette.
What else? :?
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/afw302.jpg
Clovis Point- 1 15/16"- Dorsal View- Lima-Igl
http://cayman.globat.com/~bandstexas.com/afw299.jpg
Clovis Point- 1 15/16"- Ventral View- Lima-Igl
I'm sitting here pondering the differences and similarities between Clovis, Midland and Folsom:
Differences:
1. The flutes are longer on Folsom and nonexistent on Midland.
2. Folsom and Midland usually seem thinner than Clovis.
3. Folsom has parallel edges.
Similarities:
1. Base curvature
2. Same general silhouette.
What else? :?
|
Next topic: "according to some sources, we are paid well " |
|
Previous topic: "website receives plug from msnbc article " |
|
Looking for something else? Show recent posts in Discussion |