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www.ArrowheadCollectingOnTheWeb.com
Volume II, Number 7
July 2010
We Hear A Lot About “Global Warming” Today. An Analysis Of
North American “PaleoIndian” Data Has Provided A Glimpse
Of What Happens When We Get A Serious “Global Cooling”.
Thank you for subscribing to
our newsletter, “Arrowhead
Collecting On The Web”.
I hope you enjoyed the recent
edition, Volume II, Number 6,
of our digital e-magazine, the
June, 2010 issue.
“Arrowhead Collecting On The
Web” provides an on-going
series of articles and graphic
presentations of information
related to the many different
aspects of discovering and
learning about artifacts of
previous cultures found today.
Now with almost 1000 readers
across North America, plus in
South America, Africa, Europe,
Australia and Asia, we are
moving forward into our
second calendar year, Volume
II. This new July 2010 edition
addresses the following topics,
among others:
• Read about how the
beginning of the “Younger
Dryas” severe cooling period
affected population densities
in the PaleoIndian period,
about 12,900 BP, at the time
when Clovis technology
based cultures were getting
established across North
America. The Ice Age was
coming to an end, but it had
not totally surrendered to a
warming world. The
analysis is based upon
One of the benefits of living in the age of computers is that databases of information on many topics
have been assembled. For instance, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville hosts the “PaleoIndian
Database of the Americas”, which includes attribute descriptions of over 15,000 reported
PaleoIndian artifacts from across the continent. In total, the database includes over 29,000 reported
PaleoIndian and Early Archaic projectile points. This data includes photographs and drawings,
Carbon 14 age analysis from scientific studies and geographic locations by county. See pages 3-6.
information available in the
“PaleoIndian Database of the
Americas (see pages 3-6).
• How do you record information about an artifact you
find, so someone else can
know where it came from?
Or, what if you want to trade
with another collector, how
do you keep track of source
information for the pieces in
your collection? Modern
technology presents some
new ideas, but the proven
methods of long time
collectors are still useful (see
pages 7-9).
• Look at a dramatic, new
presentation of artifacts
produced by a reader from
Vancouver Island (see pages
10-11).
• In Parker County, Texas, we
examine an intriguing
discovery which seems to
honor a baby buffalo, at least
5,000 years ago. It was
carefully buried, almost
intact except for its tail,
which was removed in
skinning (see page 14).
Read, learn, find, enjoy. And
pass it all along to your family
and friends.
ACOTW
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Our editorial objective is to
help our readers become longterm, even serious collectors of
arrowheads, over the years to
come. Here are some of the
things we hope to accomplish
for you in this process:
• Help you find new points
and understand what it is
that you are finding;
• Help you to recognize the
different kinds and styles of
collectable arrowheads and
other implements;
• Help you to understand
about the life ways of the
cultures represented by the
stone tools which remain;
• Help you to discover ways
to find good and desirable
arrowheads from other
sources, such as eBay and
special subject web sites;
• Help you understand about
modern flint knapping, how
new points and implements
are made, how to recognize
them, and how to appreciate
those items for the skill and
the craftsmanship of the
work which they exhibit;
• Help you to understand that
some people still try to sell
unsuspecting collectors
items which may or may not
be what the items are
described to be, that you
should be careful when you
think about buying points
for your collection;
• Help you to learn about
authentication services and
their value to you as a
collector.
As we do these things, we will
maintain your readership and
interest in our newsletter for
many years to come.
Volume II, Number 7
Thank you for your participation, and your interest in
“Arrowhead Collecting On The
Web”.
Sincerely,
F. Scott Crawford
Carrollton, Texas
About The Author
From the time when I was 13 or
14 in the forested foothills of the
western Oregon Willamette Valley
and found my first arrowhead, an
obsidian “bird point,” in a field my
dad had plowed for an experimental crop of maize, I have
always wondered about the
people who used these stone
tools, how they lived, and what
became of them.
Some friends had collected
Indian artifacts in the desert
areas of eastern Oregon and my
brothers and I all enjoyed looking
at their display of those arrowheads. So, to find some points of
our own, on the family land, was
particularly exciting. After that,
whenever we were working in the
bean fields, or tending livestock,
or moving irrigation pipes, or just
wandering across the back 40,
we always would keep an eye out
for bits and pieces of worked
stone, tools and points, to add to
our growing collection.
The “Paleo-Indian” period Clovis
style spear or lance point featured on
the back cover of “Arrowhead
Collecting On The Web” is reported
to have been found near St.Louis,
Missouri. As this point has not yet
been examined by an authenticator, I
am cautious to make no claims of
ancient Clovis origin; instead I
continue to entertain the possibility
that it is a modern flint knapper’s
reproduction work.
Member AACA
© 2009. All Rights Reserved.
www.ArrowheadCollectingOnTheWeb.com
F. Scott Crawford, Carrollton, Texas
2
Today, I still keep an eye out for
remnants of past cultures. And
as the world has changed so
much, I can now do much, but not
all, of that wandering and learning
on the internet, on the world wide
web. That’s how I came to be
collecting arrowheads on the
web, and why I began to put
together this newsletter, for
others across the land who also
are interested in “ Arrowhead
Collecting On The Web”.
FSC
p.s. There is still a time and a
place for criss crossing a plowed
field, or walking along the banks
of a stream, just to see what you
might find. Knowing where to
look and how, is part of what we
plan to explore in the pages of
“Arrowhead Collecting On The
Web.” Read, learn, find, enjoy.
p.p.s. You are invited to visit my flint
knapping web site:
www.StoneBreaker-FSC.net
July 2010
ACOTW
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“PaleoIndian Database Of The Americas”
Provides A Method To Research Dramatic
Population Changes Caused By A Major
Climate Cooling Event 12,900 Years Ago.
The PaleoIndian Database of the
Americas (PIDBA), available on-line at
http://pidba.utk.edu, provides locational
data on nearly 30,000 projectile points,
attribute data on over 15,000 artifacts,
and image data on over 6,000 points from
across North America. These samples
document patterns of land and lithic raw
material use, and the changes in numbers
of artifacts over time may reflect
demographic trends within the
Paleoindian period. PIDBA grows
through the contribution of primary data,
and recent additions include radiometric
and bibliographic databases, and updated
distributional maps. Ongoing research is
directed to adding images of artifacts, and
compiling the attribute data into a single
comprehensive database.
recent debate. While the reason for
the onset of YD is subject to ongoing
debate, that changes in climate and
biota occurred in many areas is
widely accepted, although how this
played out in different regions, and
among human populations, is not
well understood.
David G. Anderson1, D. Shane Miller2,
Derek T. Anderson2, Stephen J. Yerka1,
J. Christopher Gillam3, Erik N. Johanson1,
and Ashley Smallwood4
1
Department of Anthropology, The University
of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.
2
Department of Anthropology, University of
Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
3
South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and
Anthropology,
University of South Carolina, Columbia, South
Carolina.
4
Department of Anthropology, Texas A&M
University, College Station, Texas.
An extensive literature documents
how changes in climate affect biotic
communities and human societies.
Climate parameters such as the type,
rate, and magnitude of change shape
whether cultural change was major or
minor and whether population
bottlenecks or extinctions occurred.
Introduction
How abrupt, large-magnitude climate
changes affect different species,
including our own, is a subject of
considerable research interest at
present, given the rapid climate
change our planet appears to be
undergoing.
The most extreme cooling event since
the last Glacial Maximum is the
Younger Dryas (YD), which began
about 12,900 BP (all dates are in
calendar or calibrated years before
present or BP, unless otherwise noted)
and persisted for approximately 1300
years. Whether a significant decline
or reorganization in human
population occurred at the start of the
Younger Dryas cold period ca. 12,900
BP has been the subject of appreciable
Volume II, Number 7
In this paper, we explore what
happened to human populations in
North America during the Younger
Dryas using two interrelated lines of
evidence: (1) Paleoindian projectile
point frequency data; and (2) usage
patterns at 13,000-year-old lithic
quarries.
Climate and Culture Change: Basic
Assumptions
Of particular importance to human
societies were how food supplies were
affected, and whether there were
changes in the incidence and intensity
of epidemics, civil unrest, or warfare.
A recent episode of global cooling of
shorter duration than the YD was the
Little Ice Age (LIA), which occurred
from the 1300s to the 1800s AD. The
LIA had a significant effect on human
populations worldwide, with substantial population decline in some
areas brought about by crop failure,
civil unrest, warfare and epidemics.
The Younger Dryas occurred when
most human populations had not yet
made the transition to agricultural
food production, or developed
organizationally large and complex
societies, which were presumably
more vulnerable to, but also better
able to buffer, the effects of climate
change.
Abrupt swings in climate have
occurred many times since our species
3
Figure 1
emerged ca. 150-300 kyr BP. As such,
resolving how the YD affected
hunting-gathering societies is also
important for understanding earlier
periods of prehistory.
We use proxy methods to test whether
climate change associated with the
Younger Dryas (YD) from ca. 12,900 to
11,600 cal BP affected human
populations in North America: (1)
frequency analyses of Paleoindian
projectile points from across the
continent; and (2) assemblage data
(...article continues on p. 6)
July 2010
ACOTW
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The “PaleoIndian Database Of The Americas” Prepared This
Continental Distribution Chart Showing 11,906 Described Clovis
Fluted Points, Scientifically Dated To 13,000 Calendar Years BP.
Clovis Point Photographs & Illustrations from the PIDBA, found in
the state of Georgia.
In this map and the one that follows, artifacts are plotted by specific types
or groupings of types that are assumed to form broad, presumably
contemporaneous horizons. Classic Clovis points typically have flat to
weakly indented bases and fluting only part way up the blade.
The Clovis horizon dated to about 13,000 cal yr BP is replaced during the
early part of the Younger Dryas from ca. 12,800 to 12,500 cal yr BP by an
apparent ‘Full Fluted horizon’ characterized by points with deeply
indented bases and short to full flutes, of the Redstone, Gainey, Barnes,
Cumberland, and Folsom types.
These are thought to have been replaced, at least in the Southeast, by an
Unfluted Lanceolate horizon of typically waisted forms, including the
Beaver Lake, Quad, Suwannee, and Simpson types.
Sometime later in the Younger Dryas, around or after ca. 12,500 to
12,000 cal yr BP, notched and beveled Dalton points become common over
much of Eastern North America, with distinct subtypes or variants
occurring in specific areas.
(...continues on p. 5)
Clovis point from the PIDBA, found in the state of South Carolina.
Volume II, Number 7
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July 2010
ACOTW
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The “PaleoIndian Database Of The Americas” Prepared This
Continental Distribution Showing Reported Middle PaleoIndian
Points, Dated To Around 12,000 Calendar Years BP.
Middle PaleoIndian period point types developed
from earlier Clovis style (left) projectile points were
often “full-fluted”, such as the Folsom, Redstone,
Barnes, Cumberland and other similar points.
(Right) Redstone projectile point photograph
from the PIDBA, found in the state of South
Carolina. One of the “full-fluted” variations
which developed from the original Clovis style
point, in the Middle Paleo Indian period.
These later “full-fluted” type points were
possibly made with indirect hammer and punch
technology, rather than with the direct soft
hammer/billet percussion methods which were
used to produce Clovis points.
The Middle Paleo Indian period point types
which were “full-fluted” include the Folsom,
Redstone, Barnes, Cumberland and other
similar points.
(Left) Suwannee projectile point photograph
from the PIDBA, found in the state of Florida.
Non-fluted regional varieties included
Midland, Simpson, Beaver Lake, etc., and
eventually Dalton.
Volume II, Number 7
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(...continues on p. 6)
July 2010
ACOTW
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Arrowhead Collecting On The Web
from 11 Paleoindian quarry sites in
the southeastern United States. The
results of each analysis suggest that a
significant decline or reorganization
of human population occurred during
the initial centuries of the Younger
Dryas, albeit playing out somewhat
differently in different regions.
Settings formerly heavily utilized,
such as stone quarries in the
southeast, were apparently no longer
heavily utilized, while over large
areas a substantial decline in the
numbers of diagnostic projectile
points and radiocarbon estimations
occurs (Figure 2).
In the latter half of the Younger Dryas
a rebound in population or settlement
is indicated by the projectile point and
radiocarbon datasets in a number of
areas (Figure 3).
Paleoindian projectile points across
North America occur within a number
of geographically widespread,
presumably contemporaneous
stylistic horizons (Continental Clovis
Chart, page 4). The ‘Clovis horizon’ is
dated to ca. 13,050 to 12,900 BP, just
prior to the Younger Dryas, and is
characterized by classic Clovis points
which typically have flat to weakly
indented bases and fluting only part
way up the blade.
These were replaced during the early
part of the Younger Dryas by a ‘FullFluted horizon’ characterized by
points with deeply indented bases
and lengthy flutes of the Folsom,
Gainey, Barnes, Cumberland, and
Redstone types, displaying what
Goodyear (2006) has called
‘instrument assisted’ fluting either by
indirect percussion or pressure
(Middle PaleoIndian Chart, page 5).
These points were in turn replaced by
a wide range of unfluted forms later
in the Younger Dryas.
Analysis Results (1): Clovis and
Post-Clovis Projectile Point
Frequencies in North America
The Paleoindian Database of the
Americas, or PIDBA, integrates
database and GIS technology to make
locational data on nearly 30,000
projectile points, attribute data on
over 15,000 artifacts, and image data
on nearly 10,000 Paleoindian era
points from across North America.
Volume II, Number 7
Figure 2. Post Clovis decline in Southeast.
Figure 3. Post Clovis SE renewal over time.
These data indicate a substantial drop
in the numbers of artifacts and
presumably people in many parts of
North America during the early
centuries of the Younger Dryas.
population or reorganization in
technology and settlement away from
such locations appears to have
occurred. Of 11 sites examined, only
one (Carson-Conn-Short) and possibly
two others (Boyd-Ledford, Sinclair)
show much evidence for immediate
post-Clovis utilization by makers of
Redstone and Cumberland points.
Seven other sites have either no
evidence of immediate post-Clovis
usage (Wells Creek, Adams, Roeder,
Ezell, Big Pine Tree), or minor usage
(Topper, Williamson, Boyd-Ledford,
Thunderbird).
In the Southeastern U.S., this decline
is particularly dramatic, on the order
of 50% (Figure 2). The pattern of postClovis decline in eastern North
America appears much the same in
the central part of the continent in an
area defined by twenty-one states and
provinces in the Great Basin, Rocky
Mountains, and Great Plains. A
decline of ca. 37% occurs between
Clovis and presumably related fluted
forms (n=4020) and subsequent
Folsom and presumably related
Midland and Sedgwick types
(n=2527).
Pertinent questions in such analyses,
of course, include whether changes in
numbers of points represent: 1)
changes in numbers of people or
settlement patterns; 2) a reorganization of technology; 3) biases in the
collection of points; 4) errors in point
identification or dating; 5) changes in
the duration of point usage, both for
an individual tool and for the point
style; and 6) the effect of geological
factors that may affect artifact
deposition and preservation. In spite
of these concerns, using numbers of
sites, artifacts, or radiocarbon dates as
a proxy measure of human population
is widely used in archaeology.
Analysis Results (2): Southeastern
Quarry Assemblages
Examination of archaeological
assemblages from 11 major stone
quarry sites used extensively during
the Clovis era (and for much of
prehistory thereafter as well) in the
southeastern United States indicates
immediate post-Clovis, ‘Full-Fluted
horizon’ use of many of these quarries
was minimal. A major decline in
6
The sample encompasses the major
known sites. Documenting Clovis
and immediate post-Clovis use of
quarry sites in the Southeast has not
been done quickly or easily, but
reflects decades of collection and
excavation by avocational and
professional archaeologists.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analyses indicate that serious
human and animal population
declines or bottlenecks, or alternatively population reorganizations
(i.e., dramatic changes in settlement
patterning), occurred with the onset
of the Younger Dryas cooling episode
12,900 years ago in some or all
portions of North America.
Radiocarbon and other analyses
suggest similar declines occurred
across much of the Northern
Hemisphere, with the possible
exception of the Middle East.
We suggest these changes in climate
and biota are related, that they
occurred quickly and lasted for
centuries, and may have resulted in
human population declines of up to
30% to 50%.
If a comparable episode occurred
today, the results would be
catastrophic.
July 2010
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Documentation Of
Collected Pieces ...
The Proven Way.
Three Dalton points from the L. M.
Abbott Central Texas Artifact
Collection. The Dalton point on the
left was found by Cecil R. Harris in
Williamson County, Texas, on his farm
near Bartlett, “5-12-1952”. See his
notes on the back of the Dalton point,
left, top.
Three Scottsbluff points from the L. M.
Abbott Central Texas Artifact
Collection. The Scottsbluff point on the
left was found by Tom Brown in
Henderson County, Texas, in 1958. See
his notes on the back of the Scottsbluff
point, left, above.
(...continues on p. 8)
Volume II, Number 7
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July 2010
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These three Pedernales points from L. M. Abbott’s Central Texas Artifact
Collection were found by Mr. Cecil R. Harris on his farm near Bartlett, in
Williamson County, Texas. Over the years, Mr. Harris would make notes on his
finds, detailing when and where they were recovered and the date. Many years
later, we can still note the history of the points, simply by looking at them. The
permanent ink was often covered with nail polish to protect the notes.
Documentation Of Collected Pieces ... In The Tried & Tested
Way ... With Permanent Ink Notes On The “Back” Side.
This inset photograph is the back of the middle
Pedernales dart point in this group of three from
the L. M. Abbott Central Texas Artifact Collection.
This Pedernales point was found by Cecil R. Harris
in Williamson County, Texas, on his farm near
Bartlett, “6-4-1933”. See Mr. Harris’s inked notes
on the back of the Pedernales point.
(...continues on p. 9)
Volume II, Number 7
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July 2010
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This Pedernales point from L. M. Abbott’s Central Texas Artifact Collection
were found by Mr. Cecil R. Harris on his farm near Bartlett, in Williamson
County, Texas. Many years later, we can still note the history of the points,
simply by looking at them. Today, many collectors document their findings
with both inked notes on the “back” of the piece, as well as written or typed
notes with the pertinent information and digital images recording the in-situ
find and a later examination of the artifact.
Combining the previous technology with new
methods of recording information, now we can
create digital images of points we find, and
print or share the electronic images. The electronic photo file can be re-named to include the
finder’s information: type-place-person-date.
A Pedernales dart point from the L. M. Abbott
Central Texas Artifact Collection. This
Pedernales point was found by Cecil R. Harris
in Williamson County, Texas, on his farm near
Bartlett, “9-6-1939”. See his inked notes on the
back of the Pedernales point.
Volume II, Number 7
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July 2010
ACOTW
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Carved Soapstone Displays For A Selection Of Projectile Points
... A Unique Concept From A Vancouver Island Reader.
Hi Scott,
You were asking people how
they displayed their points.
Well if you want them in a
living room (which we all do)
but your wife is not as
interested as you are in shadow
box displays then here is
another idea.
Purchase a piece of soapstone
from a local art store and carve
a display holder. The rougher
the shape, the better, for you
don’t have to be a sculpture for
this, as a tree bark look works
the best.
After the carving process is
finished, it is in the finishing of
the rock were the beauty comes
in as this is the only secret. It
has to be sanded to at least a
320 grit. After washing it with
water, place it in an oven, set at
250 degrees (no higher). When
the rock has reached this
temperature, take it out and set
it down on some cardboard.
While the rock is heating, melt
some beeswax (1 oz or a tea
candle is enough). This melted
wax is used with a small paint
brush to bring out the grain
and color of the rock. Just
paint the rock with the wax.
Before it cools completely wipe
off any excess wax and after it
has reached room temperature,
polish it with a cotton rag =
finished product!
The Mayan one shows what
soapstone looks like after it is
carved – pure white - like the
un-waxed vine – if I waxed the
vine, it would have
disappeared into the rest of the
colorful rock’s shape.
Volume II, Number 7
(...continues on p. 10)
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July 2010
ACOTW
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Carved Soapstone,
A Rugged Display
For Arrowheads...
If you don’t like the wax
method you can finish sanding
it, wash it, dry it and just apply
a light oil coating (not as good
when placing on some
surfaces).
Good luck.
A grateful reader from
Vancouver Island, Canada
Bill Dayholos
P.S. I will be selling some of
these points and holders in the
months ahead on E- Bay under
the name of Global Lithics.
Top: The ones on the
Mammoth skull carving are
from Siberia.
Middle: In the next picture the
sculpture to the left of the
Mayan artifact sculpture has
two interesting points in the
center. The white one is
Dyuktai from Siberia, the red
Jasper one is so identical that
the material type and the
original finger prints (if they
were there) are the only
differences between them. The
interesting thing about them is
that the Jasper one was found
in Washington State. Proof that
the Dyuktai culture made it
down this far!
Publisher’s e-mail address:
fscottcrawford@
arrowheadcollectingontheweb.com
Volume II, Number 7
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July 2010
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e-Mail Letters:
June 14, 2010
June 19, 2010
Scott,
Dear Mr.Crawford,
Can you give more info on the
arrowhead found in Elk County,
Kansas? I live in the county just to the
north of that county.
I want to thank you for your
newsletter. It is a very informative
paper. And the photos are amazing.
My daughter found an arrowhead in
Otter Creek near Climax, KS, about
two weeks ago. It had the tip broken;
when looking at it through a
magnifying glass, the break looked
“new” meaning it was shiny, whereas
the remainder of arrowhead had the
patina.
This is within a mile of where
someone found an ancient buffalo
skull imbedded in the gravel bar of
same creek. I live on the edge of this
creek a mile west and mile south of
Climax, KS.
Charlotte Bills
June 14, 2010
Hi Charlotte,
It is good to hear from you. It would be
interesting to see a photo of the arrowhead
your daughter found. I have had several
collectors from Nebraska and Kansas send
in photos of their collections and points
which have been found by their families
over the years.
Please advise,
As far as that photograph in the June
issue, showing a possible Clovis point
which was reported to be from Elk
County, in Kansas; it was found on
private land near the Elk River. That is
the extend of information which I have for
that spear point. I purchased it about
three years ago from a long-time artifact
dealer in Alabama. The information
which he had was passed on to me. It is
an exceptional piece of glossy flint, and
features excellent work by the flint
knapper who made it. Up to this time I
have not had this point examined by an
artifact authenticator, so I am not certain
of its authenticity. It appears to have a
patina on the surface, so that it does not
appear to be a recently made
reproduction. But it might indeed be a
modern reproduction. Questions about
authenticity are one of the reasons why I
started to write “Arrowhead Collecting
On The Web”. It can be a real challenge
to learn how to tell modern made points
from the ancient. But, as most collectors
will tell you, it is important to try to
learn to tell the difference.
Thank you,
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Jessica
Sincerely,
June 14, 2010
Dear Mr. Crawford,
Hi, this is Jessica. I found, what I
believe is an Indian stone axe, in
Georgia recently. I went to an antique
appraiser about 1 month ago and he
advised me that I should “hand
carry” my artifact to The Fern Bank
Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. Everyone that I have shown this to is in
amazement.
I would really appreciate it if you
would give me your expert advice on
what I have found and any information about my artifact. I have
attached pics of both sides. Please
note ... pictures do not do it any
justice.
F. Scott Crawford
I’ve been living in western North
Carolina for about 20 years now and
only in the past few years have taken
up collecting points and artifacts. It is
mind boggling at the sheer number of
artifacts that I have run across in
Macon and Jackson counties. But the
local farmers in the area don’t share
the same ideas I and my hunt’n’
buddies. I have learned a lot about
the natives that once lived here and
one day I ran across your site, and it
has been very helpful in my search for
understanding, if I may call it that.
If you would be interested in seeing a
few photos of some pieces, just let me
know and I would be happy to do so.
Well, it looks like rain today, and you
know what that means? . . . Mud
boots. Happy huntin’.
Sincerely,
Dan Reynolds
June 19, 2010
Hi Dan,
Glad to hear from you. I am always eager
to see photos of your favorite regional
finds; and please send along a few notes
about how and where you found them
(specific details of areas/circumstances
without actually identifying the exact
places unless you wish to note the precise
locations ... this shields the property
owners from unwanted visitors). Thanks,
and I look forward to hearing from you
soon. ... Your photos would make a
welcome addition to show folks what is
found in your North Carolina region.
Scott
July 3, 2010
Hello,
With so much work to do, I’ve hardly
had time to go hunting lately. But I
haven’t forgotten you. My partner in
crime, you might say, is in the process
of moving....I’ve been trying to get
together with him and get you something to work with. I’ve got a lot of
things in storage and so has he. I will
be back in touch with you as soon as
possible. Oh yea, about the muddy
hunt, only brought home a bunch of
muddy clothes and a pocket full of
nothing but muddy rocks. But that’s
how it goes sometimes. So I’ll be
talking to you soon.
Dan
Volume II, Number 7
12
July 2010
ACOTW
TM
Arrowhead Collecting On The Web
e-Mail Letters:
June 20, 2010
Jason Davis
Re: mortar & arrowhead pics reported in
May 2010 ACOTW
Hi Jason,
How did the trip work out for you and
your son? Hopefully both productive and
educational. Did he make a report to his
class after your trip? I think that if he
had written up some notes from that trip,
combined with a few photographs of your
travels and finds, that would make a great
contribution from him to the ACOTW
newsletter! It could also give him
something to show his school class. If he
wants to do this, I will be pleased to put it
in the newsletter. Let me know.
Scott
March 9, 2010
Hi Jose,
Do you have photos of the arrowheads
which were given to you? A useful book,
Overstreet’s “Indian Arrowheads”, is
rather expensive though it is quite
comprehensive and has good photographs
of many variations of the regional types of
arrowheads. That is what I generally use
to identify points which come from areas
of the country outside of my own
experience. As far as authenticity,
consider where they came from, the
condition of the surface of the stone, wear
marks and edge wear on the points, etc.
Sincerely,
F. Scott Crawford
June 30, 2010
Good morning Scott,
This is one of three arrowheads that I
have, let me know if the picture is
good enough so you can have a good
view. Thanks in advance and hope
that you can help me.
Jose
Scott,
Hey Scott,
Below you can see a map were I got
the arrowheads. The place is located
around 200 kilometers south east El
Paso Tx , on the of the Mexican side of
border. The town is called Lomas de
Arena (Sand Hills in English) in the
state of Chihuahua , Mexico. All three
arrowheads are more or less the same
size but I’ll send you another picture
with a scale so it can illustrate the size
of the arrowheads, but they are like 2
inches long, more or less.
Thanks so much for reaching out.
I’ll try and send some photos soon
and see if Daniel is up for a little
writing. He did a presentation for
class but it was on a 3-fold board with
pictures and small, descriptive blurbs.
I think we will be making two trips in
July…one back out to eastern Oregon
and one to Utah again so I will keep
you updated on our findings!
Jason Davis
March 9, 2010
I have three arrow heads that were
given to me as a gift when I was 8
years old. Now I am 31. How can I
know how old the arrow heads are?
And most important, how can I know
if the arrow heads are authentics?
Best Regards
Jose Garcia
Volume II, Number 7
Archaic Period knife form, bifacially worked,
but with the bottom edge unsharpened.
June 30, 2010
June 22, 2010
The trip was wonderful. I think one
of the best aspects to hunting
arrowheads is the beautiful country
you get to experience in the process.
Our main stops were in Northern
California, Arizona (E. of Phoenix),
northern New Mexico and southern
Utah. Of those, southern Utah
yielded some amazing history both in
the way of points and educational
opportunities.
Archaic Period knife or scraper form, perhaps a
recycled larger blade, reworked on left edge
along a previous break.
Possible Archaic Period dart point, base broken
off on left side, or else a broken knife form.
June 30, 2010
Thanks for sending the photographs.
They are excellent photos. And
interesting artifacts, too. Do you know
where these were found? The region or
area can help in identifying culture and
age. Also, what is the size of these
artifacts, since the images have no
reference scale or common object included
for size comparisons. Sometimes people
include a coin or similar object in the
photos, just to give an idea of the size.
Especially knowing the region where they
were probably found will be most helpful
in trying to establish the origin, age, etc.,
of these points and tools. Thanks for your
interest. I look forward to hearing from
you again about the area where you live
and where these were found, if at all
possible.
Scott
13
Thank you for your time,
Jose
Publisher’s e-mail address:
fscottcrawford@
arrowheadcollectingontheweb.com
July 2010
ACOTW
TM
Arrowhead Collecting On The Web
When Marvin Glasgow invited the ACOTW publisher to visit the Doss Heritage and
Cultural Center in Weatherford, Texas, to see the preparations for the L. M. Abbott “Central
Texas Artifacts Collection”, he also told us the local archaeological enthusiasts’ favorite
theory about this Buffalo Calf, discovered in Parker County in 1985: perhaps it was a White
Buffalo Calf, since the Calf’s hide was carefully removed prior to a ceremonial burial.
The Grace Bison Calf Skeleton Is Being Prepared For An Exhibit
At The Doss Heritage & Cultural Center In Weatherford, Texas.
On June 21, 1985, while digging a
trench for a water line to his cattle
pen, Mike Grace encountered
what appeared to be skeletal
materal. The next day Mr. Grace
and his brother, Marlin Dirk,
carefully exposed the area where
the bone fragments had been seen.
18 months, based on the condition
of the calf’s teeth. The tail bones
were missing, indicating that the
bison calf had been skinned.
To their surprise, they uncovered
an almost complete, articulated
bison skeleton.
The pipeline trench
had just nicked
the left pelvis
of the skeleton.
The Grace home is in Parker
County, northwest of Annetta
(approximately 12 miles west of
Fort Worth), on a terrace about
one-half mile north of the South
Fork of the Trinity River.
Based on cut marks on the ribs,
the knees and the right scapula,
the animal appeared to have been
butchered.
Mr. Grace invited Homer Norris
and James Everett, who had been
publicised for some other recent
archaeological work in the area, to
help with an interpretation of the
skeleton. The bison was about 58
cm below the present sandy
surface, on top of a red clay layer.
It appeared that the original pit for
the skeleton had been excavated
slightly into the clay layer, since a
few chunks of the clay were in the
wall of the pit.
After completing photographs,
measurements and written
documentation, the bones were
removed from the excavation and
placed in containers for reassembly at UNT.
The bison skeleton was resting on
its right side, with its face oriented
toward the north and its feet
toward the west.
Mr. Grace expanded the excavation pit slightly before backfilling
it. During the expansion, he
found two dart point bases of tan
flint. One appeared to be a
Martindale point.
Near the ankle of the right rear
leg, Mr. Grace found the distal end
of a dark gray flint projectile
point. The material and workmanship were good.
The archaeology workers invited
Bonnie Yates and Sherry Douglas
from the University of North
Texas to observe the findings.
Ms. Yates determined that the
bison had died at about the age of
Volume II, Number 7
The Martindale point base found by Mr. Grace
in the excavation pit of the bison calf. Shown
actual size. Illustration by Homer Norris.
Martindale points date to the early Archaic,
from 8,000 to 5,000 BP.
Beneath the right eye socket, a
triangular gray flint blade was
discovered, resting on the clay.
Ms. Douglas took samples from
the sandy layer and from the clay
layer for analysis.
Parker County’s prehistory is
more complete today, thanks to
the dedication of residents like
Mike and Ann Grace, who
carefully preserved and
made this discovery
available for recording
and study.
14
(Article adapted from “Grace Bison
Skeleton Site ~ 41PR20” by James
Everett, illustrated by Homer Norris.)
July 2010
ACOTW
TM
Old Stone Age
Handaxe (Paleolithic),
age 200,000+/- years.
Arrowhead Collecting On The Web
Artifact Authentication Services
& Certificates Of Authenticity
You can use a
jeweler’s Lupe 8X
magnifier, just to
begin the high
enlargement
examination of an
artifact, to look for
edge wear and
tool marks.
Authentication and evaluation
services for artifacts from all
over the world are available
from a number of highly
respected sources.
Some offer these services for
regional items, since they
specialize in Western, or South
Western, or South Eastern, or
North Central or North Eastern
artifact types.
And most of the authenticators
have web sites. Read up on
their services, learn about their
specialties, obtain pricing and
timing information, and determine how to send items for
authentication and evaluation.
Here are some well known and
respected authenticators:
Dwain Rogers
Texas Flint Authentication
4102 Birch Avenue
Temple, Texas 76502
Telephone: 1-254-791-5520
Jeff Baker
Baker Authentication
www.BakerCOA.com
P.O. Box 772
Paragould, Arkansas 72451
Telephone: 1-870-239-9722
Volume II, Number 7
Bill Jackson
Jackson Galleries
www.JacksonGalleries.com
P.O. Box 1005
Mount Sterling , Kentucky 40353
Telephone: 1-800-466-3836
Fax: 1-859-499-0160
Tom Davis
Davis Artifacts, Inc.
www.TomDavisArtifacts.com
P.O. Box 676
Stanton, Kentucky 40380
Telephone: 1-606-663-2741
Ben Stermer
Western Typology
www.WesternTypology.com
44207 W McClelland Dr.
Maricopa, Arizona 85238
email: [email protected]
Jeb Taylor
Jeb Taylor Artifacts
P.O. Box 882
Buffalo, Wyoming 82834
Telephone: 1-307-737-2347
Ken Partain
www.kensrelics.com
7044 Market Street
Dover, Arkansas 72837
Telephone: 1-479-331-3486
Sam Cox
www.SamCoxArtifacts.com
968 Floyd Drive
Lexington, Kentucky 40505
Telephone: 1-859-351-5675
15
http://www.Stormbroek.com
A European artifact gallery,
which offers quality antiquities
from all historic eras, and all
areas around the world.
eBay Store: Stormbroek
Scottsbluff Spear
Point, late Paleo, early
Archaic period, age
8,000 to 10,000 years.
eBay store: SWArkArtifacts
eBay ID: “razrbk”
Dealer located in Arkansas, features
authentic artifacts from the south/
central United States, many with
Certificates of Authenticity.
eBay Store: SWarkArtifacts
July 2010
Clovis culture spear point reported to have been found near St. Louis, Missouri. Actual size: 5-1/4” long by 1-1/2” wide. This artifact is Number Three in a series,
presented by www.ArrowheadCollectingOnTheWeb.com © 2010. All rights reserved. F. Scott Crawford, Carrollton, Texas.
Providing Precision-Crafted Projectile Points
Since Before The Dawn Of Civilization.
TM
ClovisKnappersUnlimited LLC
NorthAmericanRockWellMade
International patents registered 13,500 B.P.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of NewWorldLithicTechnologies, LLC.