NE South Dakota new member

[SoSiouxMe]

Howdy all,

First off I'd like to say what a great site you have here. Seems like there are many knowledgeable people on here, also seems like there are a few jokesters. I love it.. I appreciate the fact that the Mods take the time to help out us less knowledgable folk.

My name is Troy Opsal. I live in the north east corner of South Dakota. I have just recently (2 years) been introduced to artifact collecting from a good friend of mine. I moved back to this area after many years away and im amazed at how little I reallly knew of the ancient history of this area.
This area was on the southern end of an ancient lake, called lake Aggassiz.
It was created when the glaciers receded and was larger than all the great lakes combined. This area is on the continental divide going from north to south. Waters from Lake Traverse flows north to the Hudson Bay, waters from Bigstone lake flow to the Gulf of Mexico. These two lakes are just a couple miles apart.

Between these two lakes is a town called Browns Valley, it is here that in 1932 they found an ancient man (9000 to 10,000) years old in a gravel pitt. With him were found some Clovis points and other ancient tools. He came to be called Browns Valley Man and if you google it you can find info on him.

Along these two lakes that i mentioned, the land rises a few hundred feet and on top of the plateau there are many ancient mounds. Many artifacts have been found in this area and i will be posting some to see if anyone knows what they are.
There are some farmers around here that have 5 gallon buckets full of arrowheads. Some have rock piles behind there house of all hammers. Im really amazed that there is no one else from this area on any of the sites that i visit, as there are also some farmers with museums set up in their houses.
If any one has any interest or knowledge of this area please feel free to contact me. Key words to google on this area are, ( Browns Valley Man, Lake Aggassiz, Coteau De Prairies, Lake Traverse, Bigstone Lake, Mounds of South Dakota,)

Im sorry if Ive gotten a little long winded on my introduction but I believe Ive got the bug.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traverse_Gap http://www.examiner.com/history-in-m...ound-minnesota


Troy Opsal

[rmartin]

Welcome to the forum Troy.Glad you found us, Ray

[kentlangreder]

welcome troy i get up to south dakota two three times a year my family is from wakpala ,just across the bridge from mobridge south dakota. i love it up there except the long winters LOL. welcome from central missouri !!!

kent

[Flyjunkie]

Welcome aboard Troy.. This IS the PLace to be in regards to Artifacts Hunting... You'll learn plenty from all the Knowledgeable & Very Friendly Folks here abouts.....

[erb]

Glad you are here Troy, I am looking forward to seeing some of your finds.

[John G. Scoggins]

Welcome aboard from SW Arkansas.There's not too many members from up your way so I'm really looking forward to seeing what you find.

[Steve Valentine]

Welcome aboard Troy. I believe you are the first member we have from South Dakota. I look forward to seeing some of your artifacts.

[DesertWalker]

Hi Troy. Welcome to the forum! Can't wait to see some Plains stuff.

[sage]

welcome to the forum troy im a new member too and im also from South Dakato by Mobridge do you know the laframboise family.

[questor]

Welcome from Iowa as well Troy. I believe that you are in an outstanding area for artifact'n. I have done a fair deal of research regarding glacial lake Agassiz. Sure seems to have some great potential. Hopefully you will be able to show some finds from around its former shorelines. I would think that there should be some KRF and late paleo/transitional opportunities for you as well up in those parts. So much future success to you on those endeavors. Will look forwards to seeing some of it posted here in the future. ~ questor ~