Previously I had written an article for this publication entitled “Mr. Bad Apple” (IAM Vol. 24-3). In case you missed it, it was about a careless trespassing “collector” that was a major cause for me losing permission to a few of my favorite sites. Despite my lost faith in new collectors, this spring I met Mr. Good Apple on another of my favorite sites.
This site is situated along a major tributary in south central New York State. What makes this site unique is that it is found on the other side of a large hill approximately 75 yards from the river. The area where most of the artifacts are found is on the slanted section at the base of the large hill. This area, I’ll call area one, has four or possibly five fire pit or cooking pit features in almost a straight row running North to Southeast. Points found in this area consist of Vestal Notched, Lamoka, Susquehanna, and Levanna projectiles (fig. 1). The other area, I’ll call area two, that has produced artifacts is approximately 35-40 feet north of the previously described area and is on a flat section that is situated a the bottom of a bowl shaped section of the field. This bowl section has produced the oldest projectile point that I’ve found there, a Brewerton side notched point, as well as a nice biface and ovate knife type tool (fig. 2). Both areas are what I would describe as moderate producing areas that also yield pitted stones and net sinkers on occasion.
My son Nick and I were on this site in May 2005 and were having a pretty good start. During our first pass down the row in area one I found a whole pestle that did not have a single plow scar (fig. 3 insitu). The use wear on this artifact was very evident. This pass through the middle of area 1 was only to get to area 2 for a look. Nick answered my find of the pestle with his discovery of a 2 ½ inch broken knife blade made of our native Onondaga Chert. I knew at this point that we would at least both go home with something in our pockets. As we turned around to start another row in area two, I saw a guy come up over the left side of the hill with his head down and his eyes glued to the tilled soil.
I waved to the man and we approached him to say hello. He said his name was Gary and that the farmer had given him permission to look for arrowheads. After some small talk Gary, or should I say Mr. Good Apple, revealed to me that this was his first time ever looking for arrowheads. I was thrilled and showed him what we had found so far. He then in turn showed me some Onondaga chert flakes he had picked up and asked me if they were flint. I confirmed that they indeed were flint and invited him to walk the rows with us. I encouraged Gary to train himself to find the chert flakes and that by looking for them he also would spot the points. I told him that I’ve recovered many points that I thought were just flakes. We walked several rows before I spotted a broken Vestal Notched point about three feet ahead of me in my row. I called Gary over and showed it to him insitu (fig. 4). Then I took a picture of the point in situ and explained the importance of doing this and how it adds to the provenance of the artifact as well as provides you with a picture that you can share with others. I then gave Gary the honors of being the first hand to touch that point since the aboriginal who last touched it. Gary was enthusiastic and thrilled to hold the point. His zeal was increased even more when I invited him to see my collection of artifacts & books after one of our artifact hunts.
Why was my new found friend a good apple? Many reasons come to mind: One, he asked permission before coming onto the site. Two, he showed interest in learning how to find artifacts by listening to many of the tips and skills I shared with him as we walked the rows. Three, after my encouragement, he started a log to keep track of where and when he found artifacts. Four, (techno meets stone age!) he began to photograph his finds with his picture phone. Gary and I have been out several times since that day and his knowledge and his skills have grown tremendously. Heck, he even got me back into good graces with the angry farmer who revoked my permission on some of my old sites on the account of Mr. Bad Apple’s conduct. It turns out that he has known that farmer for years and smoothed things over for me.
Gary was hooked and I mean hooked deep on this hobby. I knew he would need something related to do in between summer and fall so I let him in on my secret: flintknapping. I told him with time he would learn to make points much better than what he had found this year. Now Gary and I knap a couple of times a month in my garage and he’s learning the skills that I am teaching him very well. When we were walking the rows, I would show him a chert flake and explain how I could see the prepared platform and that this flake was likely struck off with an antler billet or a hammer stone dependent of the shape and size of the chip. After a short time knapping Gary commented on how complimentary knapping is to avocational archaeology. He commented on how much he now appreciated the chips of chert he found and how he studied them. He also was able to better evaluate some of the points he found that contained hinge fractures or stacks. If you collect Indian artifacts and have never given knapping a try I recommend it, as it will really supplement your knowledge and appreciation of genuine artifacts.
To sum it all up, I would have to say that Gary renewed my faith in those entering this great hobby. He is responsible, ethical and teachable. He even found nearly 40 broken and whole points in his first year! The more Mr. Good Apples like Gary that we can shepherd into this hobby of ours, the more outnumbered the Mr. Bad Apples will be. Be alert though, a Mr. Good Apple may be headed to your favorite site. If he or she shows up, swallow your selfishness, smile, and show him or her the mystery and significance of what we do. Show him or her that we preserve the past for ALL to see and touch and appreciate. Share your knowledge (but keep a few sites secret so you can still wow them with some great finds) and if they seem trustworthy and it is appropriate, invite them to your home to see your collection. Sure, now you will have “competition” on your sites, but remember that there are plenty of good artifacts to go around and you may just have to use your experience to find the artifacts your new apprentice missed. Besides, it is much more enjoyable when you can walk the rows with someone. We even made a rule that we will both hunt our mutual sites together whenever possible. It may also be good to remember that at one time you were the new avocational on someone else’s sites too. We all have to start somewhere I am glad that I got to see Gary enter and grow in this great hobby as well as in flintknapping. |
