Old collection needs verification on locality

[MidlandMan]

My dentist inherited this collection made by his grandfather back in the 1920's and he thinks it was mostly found in southeast Kentucky but isnt sure. i know there are people on here who can give opinion on verification or where this collection may have originated.

[Steve Valentine]

It's very possible they could have come from southeast Kentucky. They could also have come from Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, or any state from that general area. I have seen Points very similar from all of those states. The quartz Points along the bottom look very similar to ones I have from NC, SC, Alabama, and Virginia. Some of the materials and types look just like pieces I have found here in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky. This is why people should keep better records.

Ghost Recon would be a good person to have look at these. He collects from that general vicinity and may give you a better assessment.

[MidlandMan]

Thanks Steve for your response. It would have been better to have better records on these finds and the fact that this collection was made almost one hundred years ago when modern archaeology was in its infancy and the general information available to the public was not as accessable as today probably resulted in early collectors, especialy in rural areas, not realizing the significance of their finds or that anyone might one day really be interrested in artifacts as anything more than a curiosity. It's a lesson that should not be lost on our generation. One of my Grandfathers was a farmer near the Spiro mounds in Oklahoma about the same time this collection was made and stated that artifacts were simply thought of as trash in the fields at that time!

[ghost recon]

The black and gray colored materials are a match for the chert types that outcrop in the eastern Ky. and Tn. and western Va. areas. The types are typically what can be found in these areas as well. I agree with Steve about the quartz and the areas he listed as being probable. I've seen plenty of similar looking quartz from Va., and eastern Tn. but have rarely seen any from Ky. The more colorful materials also fit into the eastern Ky. and eastern Tn. area, where you start seeing more jasper, chalcedony, and some Ky. agate. Some of the dark colored pieces look like Knox chert from eastern Tn. The material made its way into Ky. and western Va. and elsewhere as well. So besides the quartz which to me looks like typical Va. material I think southeast Ky. is probably right on. I know there are alot of people who hunt the tristate area of se Ky., Tn., and western Va., it's all in close proximity and was extremely well occupied by ancient man. Jmo

Nice looking frame

[MidlandMan]

Thanks Ghost. We here in Texas tend to be very Texas-centric and its good to get input from knowledgable collectors as yourself and Steve. Appreciate ya'lls time and expertise!

[tomclark]

It's great to get info from other board members from outside our own localities. Thanks, Board! Nice frame there.

On a similar note, I got these bird points 30 years ago from an old gentleman whose family had picked them up in their fields. I CAN"T remember what state, all I can remember is it was SE and not FL or GA. I've posted them before but I FORGOT LOL what people said. I am so very FL-Centric. Do these forms and material look familiar to anyone?? This would be a good sticky thread!

All these items were found on their farm.... Tennessee?? Ark??? TX????Kentucky????




These things have holes that do not go through and have a groove on them. Look more like fossils than anything else. I've seen a few of these things posted as artifacts.


There were also a few crinoid pieces in this collection/box

[ghost recon]

Looks like Arkansas, Miss., or western Tn. to me Tom from the materials and types. Just my best guess. That hardstone piece is really interesting.

[George Looney]

I would add Mississippi and Alabama to the list.I remember seeing these when you posted before.

[tomclark]

thankee!