Tips for finding

[CDEAN]

I've been studying artifacts from my area, and have been on this forum, for almost a year now. I've been out looking for stuff at least once a month, and aside from a few flint pieces and a possible flake tool, I'm ashamed to say I've found nothing. I know what worked flint looks like, and what to look for, the problem is I'm just not finding anything.

Can anyone here give me some tips for creek hunting? I'm going on a day hike to an extremely remote creek drainage next weekend and I'm determined to find something.

[Dirty_Digger]

CDEAN, I am in the same boat. I have manages two microblades and one point. But they all came from my first hunt in Arkansas. Since that day, I have found a pound of flakes. And nothing more. I have done fields, creeks, and small wash areas. Not once have I gone out without finding flakes. But the pointes are not finding thier way to my home. Ill be watching this thread closely.
PM SENT

[John G. Scoggins]

Are there any gravel bars in the creek you're going to?If so, watch them for sign such as flakes or pot shards.If you start seeing them, walk the bars in several different directions.The reason I say this is sometimes you can walk down a bar at one angle and miss an artifact that you can see from a different angle.As you're going down the creek, watch the banks.Some creeks will change course and go right through a site or banks caving in will expose stuff.If its clear enough, look in the actual creek channel.Another good spot to check is where smaller creeks or drainage ditches hit a creek.There's a good chance of something being right where they come together.Good luck and wish I knew your area where I could have gave a more detailed answer for the area you're going to.

[comanche]

Aside from Walking a Tight Grid on the Gravel Bars.It is just a Matter of being in the right area.If your not Finding Flint in the Main Stream,,,Hit the Side Creeks.Flint travels.
Good luck//////c

[Dirty_Digger]

John, do you ever hunt near Pulaski County? Or do you stay south?

[Cluton]

Hey bud, ask to check those nice little farm fields you guys have up there, try higher hills with creeks below it, or creeks circling it! Maybe where 2 creeks meet!

[CDEAN]

Originally Posted by John G. Scoggins

Are there any gravel bars in the creek you're going to?If so, watch them for sign such as flakes or pot shards.If you start seeing them, walk the bars in several different directions.The reason I say this is sometimes you can walk down a bar at one angle and miss an artifact that you can see from a different angle.As you're going down the creek, watch the banks.Some creeks will change course and go right through a site or banks caving in will expose stuff.If its clear enough, look in the actual creek channel.Another good spot to check is where smaller creeks or drainage ditches hit a creek.There's a good chance of something being right where they come together.Good luck and wish I knew your area where I could have gave a more detailed answer for the area you're going to.

I've been to the place before and hiked about 1/2 mile along it, and I saw no gravel bars. There's alot of sand and gravel IN the creek though. It mostly winds up through a hollow for about four miles, is pretty shallow, and one side of it is right up against the hollow and there's tons of eroded hillside. I'm sure there's a few smaller creeks that feed into it.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

[Dirty_Digger]

When it comes to rock shelters..... Would the ancients have used them if they were up a VERY steap hill? I am talking about the hill being so steap that it kicks your tail just to carry a bucket and small shovel up the hill without falling a hundred times... I couldn't see anyone carrying water up the hill everyday. But I would like more opinions.

[CDEAN]

I think they still would have used it.

[Trask]

Have you focused in on your local history..and based on research found sites or areas likely to have been heavily used...I spend a TON of time researching and reading at local libraries, historical societies and museums. I've also found talking with people ( especially longtime residents ) can be very productive. Plenty of wild goose chases are generated this way but about 1 in 10 "arrowhead stories" produce in some way or another..(sometimes indirectly as a bi-product of searching).
Don't overlook what's right under your nose. Construction sites, sand pits and any area that exposes bare ground in some manner can be likely spots..even if they are right in town. Oddly I have found that in my area MANY of the best sites are right on the edge of development. It stands to reason that humans have many of the same occupational needs and we tend to develop right on top of the ruins of ancient peoples homes in many cases.