Signs of camp fire?

[bmelvin20]

found some burnt coals in a ditch today about a foot below surface. How old could this be? this is on the side of a hill with a creek not too far away. I have been thinking a out digging. I have heard from some locals say they have found some points years ago in this location.

[neralich]

Could be ancient,,,Look for fire-cracked rock, flakes and other traces where the charcoal is exposed. If you have permission, I would try digging. The area in the pics looks promising.

I have found charcoal as old as Agate Basin.

[bmelvin20]

when digging, such as in my case, do i focus around the signs of fire. or should i look for other signs of a good place to dig? Thanks for the advice.

[neralich]

Hard to say. I've found stuff in with charcoal and around fire-pits etc...

Alot of times the ancients would make a pit for one reason and would later become a trash pit once it's use has expired and filled in with campsite refuse such as ashes, charcoal, flakes, broken tools,fire cracked rock,, kitchen refuse such as pottery shards, shells, bones, etc, etc --I have found a cache of points mixed in with refuse in a pit before so don't get discouraged if you think it's just trash. One mans trash is another mans treasure!!!

It would help to have an experienced digger with you to help pin-point likely spot to dig, but if it were me, i'd test dig the charcoal area and immediately around it. And keep eye out for flakes eroding out alongside that gulley. Goodluck,,, hopefully it's a sign of an ancient campsite and not a bon-fire from the late 1800's or something.

Jason

[bmelvin20]

planning on getting rained out from work tom. Thinking about digging around the burned coals i found. Should i dig up all of the burnt pieces then start working my way out or how should i go about starting the dig?

[OneOneNiner]

If it's an old fire pit, I bet you'll score points and pottery.
My neighbor has scored BIGTIME around an old fire pit. Good luck!

[bmelvin20]

wouldn't that just be amazing!!!!! oh plz plz plz lol

[neralich]

Originally Posted by bmelvin20

planning on getting rained out from work tom. Thinking about digging around the burned coals i found. Should i dig up all of the burnt pieces then start working my way out or how should i go about starting the dig?

I would start by digging/inspecting the coals first and look for traces of ancient activity. Try to establish that it's ancient first. If your finding melty blobs of broken glass and rusty nails then it's not as old as you hoped, of course...

IF you do see flint, and the coal area appears ancient,, Then it's your preference on where to start and go about it.
I'd pick one side or the other and dig a couple of feet away on both sides of the coal area....

[OneOneNiner]

Just curious, you ever dig this spot?

[Cannonman17]

coals can be left behind from burning of stumps when the area was cleared to make it a farm field as well. Hope it's ancient though!