Few questions on quarry and camps

[Bluestar45]

Hello all,

I've been busy researching my area and have a few questions. I do realize I'm treading on dangerous ground, so please bear with me, no offense is intended.

First, my very short background: I know of one field, where I was taken as a kid once, out of the blue by a family friend, for about 3 hours. I managed to find a point, and have been hunting off and on since. I'll post a pic of the point in a little.

1) I have read through the forums here, but still have a few questions. In one book (Archaeologist's Field Handbook), the author states that campsites can be found up to 500 ft from a water source. The only reason I ask is the author talks almost specifically about Australia, so I wonder if the distance is different in US?

2) On using topographic maps (I have delorme topo software, as well as the topo map book)

- I'm unsure of how to "read" the map to discern how my local waterways (mainly creeks and tributaries) have changed (IE: find dry creekbeds, springs, how a waterway may have gradually changed).

- I'm also hoping someone can help me understand where the floodplain of a watersource ends and where I should begin to start looking for signs.

3) I have come across MANY references to sites that were recorded in the late 1800's, but very vague descriptions to as where the sites are. I've also come across reference to more recent finds, but by database reference only. I completely understand why the descriptions are vague and database access is restricted, but is there a way I can narrow down where they are/where located, ONLY for the sake of research. I have NO intention of nefarious deeds, my idea/way of thinking is to mark on the topo software the recorded/known places, and try to use that to find new places to hunt. Not to mention that I know a few of these mentioned sites are within a park. If I'm off on the way I'm approaching research and how to utilize what I find, please put me on the right path.


4) Finally, a few questions on hunting:

- I've scene reference in the forums to Ft. Ancient sites, but have not come across reference to them in my locale. Am I correct that I am outside their area?

- In hunting creeks, does the width/depth matter? (I know rivers and their main tributaries are good).

- Lastly, could anybody provide some incite into how far away from a quarry should I be looking for a camp? In looking for said camps, am I safe to assume that a small creek(maybe 4' wide, never saw water deeper than 5-6") that runs close to quarry would be used for trade route? I know that there were large trails in the area, but I never found reference of any of these trails running close to the quarry.

Sorry it's a long post, I've been making my list of questions and organizing my thoughts.


Thanks to all

[MO816]

Sounds like your doing nice sound research. For the topic maps there's a contour interval, which is the space between the lines. The closer the lines r together, the grade of the land is increasing. So when Ur by
A creek or river the lines should start to spread apart meaning the land is flattening. when the lines are almost stacked that's a steep hill. Let me know if this makes sense.

[Bluestar45]

That does make sense. So should I be looking at the first level ground above the waterway, say 50' higher than creek/stream?

Also, can you possibly explain, or point me to where it is explained, how to use the maps to hunt, for lack of a better term, "ancient waterways"?


And thanks for the response

[Cluton]

Very hard to do that!! IMO! The best way is to just walk and find where have a good guess! Look for flint chips, burnt rock, different layers in dirt (dark layers), just put done hiking in!! the spot we found yesterday isn't big, but after twelve yrs of seeing what eroded out of dirt, it was well worth the wait! We dug ip two killer pieces in 5 minutes, and we could dig this for 5 yrs if need be! It's hard to determine from maps, they help, but not as much as seeing it for yourself!

[Bluestar45]

Kinda figured. Like everybody else, I have limited time, and just want to try to have the best chances.

If I may, another question.... I know of a few rockshelters general locations, but not specifics. These shelters were dug YEARS ago, and in one case, was destroyed by mining. Being that they were close to waterways, I was thinking that if I stay at the same elevation and hike both directions, I should have a decent chance at any other rock outcroppings. Am I correct in this line of thought?


Thanks again

[PA Eric]

Im just starting out too so hope this helps. my friend that got me hooked told me to look about 100 yds above the flood plain in a level area. he's been very sucessful and his advice always helped me out. some gamelands in southern pa are in delination areas (flood plains) and maps are available. the native americans in this area settled in those flood plains, findin where is what we do, hope this helps

[JeffDNH]

Hi Bluestar45, who is the author of that field book that you referenced? Is the book worth purchasing?

[Bluestar45]

Jeff,

I have several books that I used for initial research. Some of these were found on ABEbooks.com (great place to look for hard to find books).

1) Susquehanna's Indians (Barry C. Kent)
2) Man, Land, and Time (William H. Turnbaugh)
3) The Delaware Indians: A History (C.A. Weslager)
4) Handbook of North American Indians Vol 15: Northeast (Smithsonian)
5) Indian Paths of Pennsylvania (Paul A.W. Wallace)


Some were more useful than others, but all combined help to paint a fairly decent picture. Hope it helps