the aaca magazine- volume 9 issue 2

Volume Number 9 Issue Number 2

Winter 2011

THE AACA MAGAZINE

On The Inside:

Hayden Patstone‟s Pipe Find

Member IN SITU Pictures

The Critter Gallery

Ohio Hafted Shaft Scrapers

Collectors‟ Favorite Artifacts

& Much, Much More!!

http://www.theaaca.com/aaca/index.php

Table of Contents

President‟s Message Pg 1

Editor‟s Message Pg 2

Hayden‟s Pipe Pg 3

Collectors‟ Rorschach Test Pg 4

“The Arrowhead” Pg 5

An Ohio Hafted Shaft Scraper Collection Pg 6-7

“No Points For Christmas” Pg 8-10

Where the White Man Went Wrong Pg 11

Anthropocene or Holocene? Pg 12-14

In Situ Pg 15-24

Members‟ Favorite Artifacts Pg 25-32

Critter Gallery Pg 33-41

The Story of the North American Buffalo Pg 42-45

“The Bison” Pg 46

AACA MAGAZINE

Authentic Artifacts Collectors Association, Inc. www.theaaca.com Volume Number 9 Issue Number 2 Winter 2011

Editor Steve Stangland

Design & Layout by Robert J Dills

http://www.theaaca.com/

1

Message from the President

Cliff Jackson

Two treasures in the field: Cliff's youngest grandson Jackson and his "arryhead"

Treasure hunting has been a favorite pastime of man for many generations. Ancient man searched for

and found the finest lithic treasures in the best rock outcrops and river cobbles, then would make

them into the tools he needed to live. Artifact collectors search for those same tools in the fields and

woods where early man lived, and when we are lucky, we find true treasure. Many times arrowhead

hunters will mention that they were the first person to touch an arrowhead in so many thousand years

- and an ancient connection is made when we find and study that treasure. It is a part of being man to

connect to the past. As we bend down to pick up a flake that was knapped thousands of years ago, we

shake the hand of the knapper who lived and hunted in our backyard. That feeling is the true treasure

of arrowhead hunting that we can all understand.

Have a wonderful holiday and may your 2012 be filled with treasure!

Cliff

2

From the Editor‟s Desk

Steve Stangland

This winter issue of the AACA Magazine includes 12 articles. Many are short, making for quick and

easy reading. As always, the “In Situ” section, the “Critter Gallery,” and the “Collectors‟ Favorites”

sections are replete with outstanding and colorful pictures. Thanks to member contributions, virtually

every article in this issue is informative, interesting, entertaining or humorous.

In the event you would like to comment on any article, feel free to send me a “letter to the

editor” ([email protected]). You may want to disagree, add something we missed, correct something,

expand on something, say something either good or bad, or whatever! If we receive several interesting

submissions, we would be willing to make a new section called (of course) “Letters to the Editor.”

One more thing…..by all means, don‟t miss the Editor‟s “No Points for Christmas” article and poem!

The AACA Board of Directors wishes you good hunting and a

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

I think I find as many Gopher Snakes as points!

mailto:[email protected]

3

I'm in awe at the circumstances that took place for my son Hayden to have found this pipe. I was out on

private ranch land in California with my two boys. They had found a little three inch plastic ball while

searching for artifacts with me and were throwing it at each other when it rolled down a rat hole. My

son Hayden starting putting his hands down the hole and the little pipe is what popped out! Before I

knew what had happened, he ran over to show it to me. What luck!!

Just an additional note: When I walked over to where he found it I spotted anice chalcedony arrowhead

within two feet of the hole. It was missing half of an ear...bummer. I also found four nice shell beads.

My friend Dale says that Hayden‟s pipe looks like a bugle!

Matt Patstone - California

Editor‟s note: The question came up as to the material and age of this pipe find. The pipe is made of

fired clay (ceramic) and the whitish, antler-looking color is the effect of "bleaching" from hundreds of

years of dry-climate exposure. Although stone and soapstone pipes are occasionally found in the

hunting area, most are ceramic. This particular specimen is on the small side, but is an outstanding find

because of its near perfect condition. The age is unknown, but local artifact enthusiasts would guess 200

to 500 years....and possibly older.

Hayden‟s Pipe

Collectors’ Rorschach Test John Selmer

The Rorschach test or the ink blot test is a psychological test in which your perceptions of ink

blots are recorded and then analyzed. Some psychologists use this test to examine a person's

personality characteristics or emotional functioning. You‟ve probably seen an old movie where a

psychologist is administering the test to someone. The test is named after its creator, Swiss

psychologist Hermann Rorschach.

With that in mind, what do you see when you look at the artifact in the photos? I am sure

many of our spouses wonder what is going on inside our heads when we come home with more rocks

to add to our collections. I‟ve asked a number of people what they see and have gotten a variety of

answers. Most see an animal of some sort. The most common answers are fox, wolf, coyote, squirrel,

beaver, and porcupine. One person told me they saw a lizard. I haven‟t been able to see that at all. I

lean towards a squirrel or a fox myself.

Paleo Eccentric Effigy (Obverse) Paleo Eccentric Effigy (Reverse)

I attended the Ripley, Ohio Artifact Show in February 2011. When I could get away from my

tables, I would take quick jaunts to see the other displays. This artifact caught my eye and I just had

to have it because I like to collect effigies and other unique artifacts. After speaking to the person who

owned it, I found it was for sale and the price was reasonable. Before he could change his mind, I

bought the piece and added it to my collection. It is a Paleo eccentric effigy made from a Clovis point.

The lithic material is Harrison County Chert (aka Hornstone) and it is 2-11/16 inches long. It was

found by Wilber Sonner who is pictured in Who’s Who in Indian Relics Volumes 2 and 6. He found it

on his property near the Ohio River in Harrison County, Indiana. It came with a Tom Davis

Certificate of Authenticity (G10) and is now catalog number WBC-2030 in the Selmer Collection.

In the first picture, you can still see the remains of the flute from the Clovis point. The piece is

worked all the way around the edge and there is no modern damage or patination change, so every

feature is on purpose.

4

The Arrowhead

O‟er fields of new turned sod, communing with my God,

I tramped alone, and in a furrow bed I found an arrowhead,

Chiseled from stone.

Then fancy fled on wings, back to primeval things,

Seeking the light…..what warrior drew the bow,

Sighted, and let it go, on its last flight?

How oft this flinten head, on deadly errand sped,

I may not know…

Nor will the silent flint reveal the slightest hint,

How long ago.

Were its grim story told, what tales would it unfold,

Tales that would chill…

I know but this one thing, beyond all questioning,

„Twas made to kill.

Ages have worn away, warriors gone their way;

Their bones are dust…

Proof of a craftman‟s skill survives the ages still..

Left in my trust.

Enos B. Comstock 5

Editor‟s Note: As many of you, I have seen this poem before, but never with the poet‟s name attached…..and

usually credited as “anonymous.” The poem was written by Enos Benjamin Comstock, who died in 1945 at the

age of 66. Having studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, he became a painter, writer and illustrator. Besides

writing and illustrating for well known children‟s books, he was also an illustrator for Boy Scout Publications.

Roger Gossard, a high school friend of mine from southeast Kansas, sent me a hard copy of the poem.

Interestingly, he had found it in a 1927 copy of the Boy Scout Handbook. The poem was overlying a picture of

an Indian shooting an arrow at a bobcat sitting in a tree, the illustration of which I assume was also done by poet

Comstock.

(Background Photo by Steve Valentine)

Above is what is commonly referred to as a "Hafted Shaft Scraper.” This is a very rare tool type found

primarily in the central and eastern Ohio areas. They are also known to be found in other states but

their distribution becomes somewhat sporadic outside of Ohio. They are always made on a flake with

the cutting edge flaked toward the uniface side. Most have a right-handed cutting edge, meaning that

with the base at the 12 o‟clock position and the uniface side down the cutting edge is on the right side.

Examples with the cutting edge on the left-hand side are very unusual. This artifact type can have many

different base styles, most of which are Archaic. In his book “Ohio Flint Types,” Robert Converse

attributes them to the Early Archaic period. Many different lithic materials were used, but most are

made from either Flint Ridge or Coshocton flint. My observations conclude that the average size is

right around 2 ½ inches, but can range from 1 ½ to over 4 inches. In over twenty years of field hunting I

have found only one complete example (center row second in from the right). Based on their varied

design and cutting edge radiuses I believe that they were used as some type of wood working tool, but I

cannot conclude that they were strictly "shaft" scrapers as the colloquial name implies.

Some collectors may confuse this type with “spokeshaves,” which are usually Woodland points.

Consequently, I will clarify by making the differentiation between a spokeshave & a hafted shaft

scraper. At least in my region, a spokeshave is a semi-circular notch that is worked into the blade edge

of any bi-facially worked point or blade. A spokeshave is added to an existing blade whereas the hafted

shaft scraper is purposely built from the start. Physically, the main difference is the hafted shaft

scraper is always made on a flake and the cutting edge is not necessarily always semi-circular. I have

seen a few and I have collected at least one where the cutting edge is almost straight.

In regard to the origin of all of the pieces pictured on the next page- only one was found by me. I

purchased a couple directly from the finders, many were acquired from well known local collections and

one was given to me by the finder (I was with him when he found it). It has taken me about eight years

to put this collection together.

In conclusion, I should mention that you cannot find this type in the Overstreet Identification and Price

Guide. Nevertheless, it is recognized by Ohio collectors as a separate typology and as a desirable part of

any personal collection.

HAFTED SHAFT SCRAPERS FROM OHIO

By Robert Dills

6

7

Above is my collection of Hafted Shaft Scrapers and a few other flint oddities. All were found in

Ohio. The second one in from the right in the center row is a personal find from Wayne County,

Ohio. The single notched example to the left of it was found by my friend Edward Stevens in

Coshocton County, Ohio. He gave it to me as we were leaving the field, which is a good thing since I

was planning on stealing it anyhow!! The cutting edge on this example extends all the way to the base,

as does the example on the far left of the center row. The eccentric to the left of the center Crescent

Knife was also found by Ed in Coshocton County, Ohio . It is a bit over 3" long. The bottom center

Crescent Knife is ex- Dr. Mueser collection.

The smooth uniface side can

be seen in these two pictures.

This is the result of a single

blow that removed the flake

from the parent stone. The

only secondary flaking

sometimes done to this side

is along the cutting edge.

Otherwise no additional

work is done to this side. As

with most Archaic types the

bases are almost always

ground. Very rare examples

have cutting edges on both

sides. Occasionally a graver

spur is incorporated.

No Points for Christmas

Although interested in Indian lore all my life, because of working two jobs seemingly forever, it was only about 10 years ago that I began having time to start looking for artifacts. I was completely on my own when I first started hunting points in the San Diego area and had not met any local hunters. My hikes into the back country turned up nothing. One guy I met told me that the indigenous people in San Diego County used only fire-hardened wood for their projectiles. I became convinced that there were no points to be found in my area. Nevertheless, I maintained my interest and began to build an “acquired” collection. I actually traveled back to my home state of Kansas for my first true arrowhead hunt, and soon afterwards made several hunts in Oklahoma and Texas. Although my hunts “back East” yielded results, I was still apprehensive about possible results in my own geographic area. It was about that time, right before Christmas, that I wrote the poem below and posted it at the old “Arrowpack” board.

“No Points” San Diego

Steve Stangland

It‟s easy to envy those guys back East,

They actually count points at their Christmas feast.

We‟ve got very little flint in San DiegO,

But thank the Lord, no snow and never zero-O.

They have lots of points in Missouree,

In every field you find two, maybe three.

We‟ve got no points in San DiegO,

No points, no hail, no sleet, no snow.

Arkansas folk find points in their own front yard,

But not in San Diego- that would be too hard.

I‟ve never found a point in any local turf,

But we‟ve got the beach and real high surf.

8

Texas has flint that looks really nice,

But they have something else- they have ice.

It‟s tough finding points in San DiegO,

But the tequila is smooth in nearby MexicO.

Lots of points also in Alabama and Tennessee,

Not to mention tons of „em in Kentuckee.

Compared to Diego, that sounds so much better,

But I‟ll have to pass, we have the great weather!

They‟ve got some good flint in New York State,

Every one they find is at least a G-eight.

They also have snow in that great state,

They shovel it off their drives until very, very late

The Mecca for points could be OhiO,

It‟s also the Mecca for ice cold snow.

Nope, we‟ve got few points in San DiegO,

But every day the temp is a big seven O.

May Santa fill all of your Christmas socks

With birdies, doves, and other G-8 rocks

Seasons Greetings from San Diego- land of no snow,

Merry Christmas to all, and a warm HO, HO , HO!

9

Now, the poem is not the end of the story. I eventually talked to enough people and began

making more “exploratory” hikes into likely areas. I also ran across a guy who was selling his

collection and moving out of state. He wanted far too much for some of his locally found

points. I told him I would pay his price, but only if he would take me on a hunt. He promptly

did so, and incredibly, I found my very first San Diego County point, and it was not a broken

piece or a “pooter.” It was a complete, near perfect arrow point, uncovered by the blowing

wind at the very moment I was staring at the ground in an area littered with pottery shards.

Suddenly I became extremely persistent in my quest to find hunting sites. The exploratory

hikes started yielded results, as did my son‟s research on Google Earth. I was also fortunate

to meet one of the best artifact hunters in Southern California. I will just call him “John.”

John was an invaluable asset and still hunts with me from time to time. If you are new to

hunting and not having great results, the moral to this story is simply…

PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF.

My first local point

10

Where the White Man Went Wrong

(unknown source)

Indian Chief “Two Eagles” was asked by a white U.S. government official, “You have

observed the white man for 90 years. You’ve seen his wars and his technological advances.

You’ve seen his progress, and the damage he’s done.’’ The chief nodded in agreement. The

official continued, “Considering all these events, in your opinion, where did the white man go

wrong?”

The chief stared at the government official and then replied, “When the white man find land,

Indians running it….. no taxes, no debt, plenty buffalo, plenty beaver, clean water. Women do

all the work, Medicine Man free. Indian man spend all day hunting and fishing; all night

having sex.”

Then the chief leaned back and smiled, “Only white man dumb enough to think he could

improve system like that.”

11

Anthropocene or Holocene?

(Followed by a “Collectors‟ Quiz”)

by Steve Stangland

Zion National Park – Editor‟s Photo

Is man presently depositing a permanent, planet-wide stratagraphic layer in the earth‟s crust?

Science tells us that the earth is 4.5 billion years old, and its history has been divided into numerous

geological eras, periods and epochs. Because they involve the history of our Native Americans,

knowledgeable collectors are aware that the two most “recent” epochs are the Pleistocene and the

Holocene. Most collectors also know that modern man is living in the most recent geologic epoch…. the

Holocene. But wait a minute. Is that correct? Read on!

Some geological epochs endured for millions of years. Depending on what professional resource you

believe, the Pleistocene endured from 1.8 to 2.6 million years. The present Holocene is “only” 11,500

years old. In any event, it‟s not every day that we see a new geological epoch. But hold on! Many

present-day stratigraphers and other scientists say that we are all now living in the “Anthropocene.” So

why have we departed the very young Holocene and now entered this new epoch in the geological

history of our planet? The answer lies in the fact that man now wields such incredible influences over

his environment. He can pollute huge expanses of water and air, create his own rivers and lakes, level

mountain tops, create cities with millions of inhabitants and then exterminate them in seconds with his

atomic resources. Man‟s mega-influence on earth‟s environment is now undeniable.

Over 130 years ago an Italian geologist by the name of Antonio Stoppani suggested that man had

entered a new geological epoch that he called the “Anthropozoic.” The scientific community paid no

attention. Today, over a century later, however, human influence on the planet has grown exponentially

and has become painfully obvious and dangerous. Consequently, about 10 years ago when Dutch

scientist Paul Crutzen suggested that man had entered a new epoch called the “Anthropocene,” the

scientific community took notice and quickly accepted the idea.

However, there exists a scientific group entitled the International Commission on Statigraphy. This

group is the official arbiter of the geologic time scale, and some time in the next several years they will

vote to determine whether the “Anthropocene” is to be fully accepted as the new geologic epoch in

which humankind now abides. Additionally, their parent organization, the International Union of

Geological Sciences, must also vote.

12

Sources:

National Geographic magazine, March 2011, THE AGE OF MAN by Elizabeth Kolbert

San Diego Union-Tribune, June11, 2011, article by Mike Lee

Other miscellaneous reading and reporting sources

13

There is a significant “twist” to all of this. According to Elizabeth Kolbert, a writer for National

Geographic magazine, “The boundaries between epochs are defined by changes preserved in

sedimentary rocks – the emergence of one type of commonly fossilized organism, say, or the

disappearance of another. The rock record of the present doesn‟t exist yet, of course…..”

Well, some say that it will exist and others say no. In the meantime, without an “official” scientific

approval that the Anthropocene actually exists, what is a person to do…..what is a collector to

believe….. Holocene or Anthropocene?

Geologists and other scientific types may debate this for years, but after carefully considering the fragile

condition of Mother Earth, your Editor has arrived at his own conclusion: We now live in the

Anthropocene! What do you think?

(See “Quiz” next page)

Collectors‟ Quiz – True or False?

(Note: The answers for only 3 of these can be found in the article.

Use your general collector‟s knowledge for the other two).

1. Modern man lives in the Pleistocene.

2. The earliest Paleo-Indians lived in the Pleistocene.

3. Middle Archaic Indians lived in the Pleistocene.

4. The Holocene began 3000 years ago.

5. Modern man lives in either the Holocene or the Anthropocene.

1- False 2- True 3- False 4- False 5- True

14

ANSWERS TO QUIZ

Pleistocene Mammoth

Most of the pictures in this

section are in situ; however,

because circumstances always

do no allow an in situ, a few of

them are in hand.

Ooooh…it could be a

wicked looking side notch!

(Try to find it again at the

end of Matt's section!).

Matt is a lucky guy; he has

access to a lot of private

land to hunt.

What the heck is that? It

must be a clay bead!

15

IN SITUS

Matt Patstone

CALIFORNIA

(Photo by Steve Valentine)

Matt scored again on July 30,

2011, at another favorite site of

his. The pic is a bit fuzzy, but

check out the quality of that

material. This find demonstrates

how an avid hunter can be

rewarded by looking right after a

rain and a good “blow.”

This July of 2011 exciting-

looking find by Matt Patstone

looks better in the ground

than in the hand, so we will

leave it at that.

You don‟t find many scrapers that

look like this! Matt found this

lying in the desert sand while

visiting Utah in late October of

2011.

16

Matt P. has this to say about

this August 3, 2011 find: “I

was walking through the front

area of a large hill and decided

to squat down just to get a

closer look at all the lithic

scatter when I saw this side-

notch point. If I didn't squat

down I would never have seen

it. It's fricken killer!!!! I‟m

still on my arrowhead high.”

Matt Patstone‟s

Memorial Day

Weekend Haul –

California.

17

Gary Henson

CALIFORNIA

This is a stone pipe bowl found by Gary Henson of Poway, California on August 23, 2011. Below are Gary‟s

words:

“At first I thought it was a hunk of lead or a polished creek stone as it was packed with dirt through and

through, so unfortunately no in situ for this one. I was thrilled to find it as it is probably one of my rarest

personal finds. It is well made - polished and curved inward at the top, but does have slight damage at the top.

The base angles at about 45 degrees and I think it was made that way to fit on a reed or stem of some kind. I

can't figure out how they drilled through it as it appears to be made from very hard stone.”

18

Keith Brown

CALIFORNIA

Found by Keith Brown in California in

September, 2011, after a rain.

Steve and David Stangland

CALIFORNIA

The Editor found this nice game ball under

this boulder just barely showing its top

where a squirrel had been digging. Not

being sure that it was even an artifact, no in

situ was taken.

19

Found by the Editor on August 11, 2011. No, not

impressive, but check out the nice material!

Found lying flat out near a couple critter holes on October 26, 2011 by David

Stangland. We call this California hunting area the “Quartz Site” because 80% of

the finds are made of quartz. The pic on the right shows the scenery and a piece of

scatter made of the high quality quartz typical of the area.

20

Cliff Jackson

NORTH

CAROLINA Cliff Jackson found this piece

in mid-September of 2011. He

says ….“I got a chance to hunt

a lake with a couple friends this

week. I lucked out and found

an old one within 30 minutes. It

is a rhyolite Hardaway-Dalton

that has very heavy patina,

algae and water stain. Believe

it or not…..inside this piece

there is a fine-grained black/

green flint! It measures 2 3/8"

and is heavily ground in the

hafting area. No in situ pics

available as we were on water,

but it was laid up real pretty

under one foot of water in an

area that previously produced

mostly a lot of Woodland

triangles and some Morrow

John Selmer

VIRGINIA

Wow! John Selmer of

Virginia found this Clovis in

New Mexico on May 12, 2011.

Here is John‟s incredible

account of how he found this

rare piece:

“The petrified „chunk‟ of

material above the Clovis is

actually the piece that caught

my eye when I was walking the

site. As I was stooping down

to pick it up, I saw the Clovis

and let out a yell to my

hunting partner to come

running. I was able to

compose myself enough so that

I could get the in-situ picture

before picking it up. I must have taken 50 pictures from every which way to make sure that at least one

would turn out and be in focus. It is a fine grained quartzite material and 2 1/8 inches long.”

Mountains.”

21

Steve Valentine OHIO

Steve Valentine found this nice black knife

on the Goldcamp Site in Lawrence County,

Ohio.

“This is a picture of one of my favorite in situs I took all year. I love the way the bird point is sitting up

on a little pedestal. This was found on a site that I just discovered this past spring. I decided to take a

drive through the country and drove for miles and miles without seeing any fields at all. I finally went

up over this really large hill and when I dropped into the valley below. I saw fields on my left with two

creeks converging to form a larger creek and I knew it had to be good. After knocking on a few doors I

finally found out who owned the property and went and knocked on their door. As I pulled up the

driveway I saw this $250,000 home with perfectly manicured lawns and I thought to myself „There is no

way they will let me hunt.‟ I couldn't have been more wrong. They were very friendly and the owner

asked me to bring back what I found so he could see them. I found 10 that afternoon in about 3 hours

and went back to show him and he was amazed I had found all of all those in his field. I came back the

next day and found 4 more including the bird point in the picture. I can't wait to get back there next

spring.” Steve Valentine – Ohio 22

“Here is a Table Rock I found on the banks of the Ohio River. I had hunted for 3 hours in 95 degree

heat and unbelievable humidity and hadn't found anything and I decided to call it a day. I turned to

head back to where I climb up the bank and took a few steps, looked to my right, and there this baby

was just lying there under a large plank of wood. Talk about an elated feeling. This spot is really hard

to get to and doesn't give up a lot, but when it does it is usually a killer.”

Steve Valentine

In June of 2011, Joshua Hudson of Jefferson

County, Missouri, visited his favorite field

and found his best arrow point of the year…..

a nicely serrated little Sequoyah.

Josh Hudson

MISSOURI

23

Ken Schmidt

MONTANA

Made from Madison chert, this is most likely a Pelican Lake knife. Ken Schmidt of Montana says …..

“Found this on a dig, posted it on the AACA Forum. I was there and can claim it as a personally

witnessed find. It‟s like being right behind the guy who uncovered it.”

“It's rather an exceptional find, as most are found in pieces. I know of very few recovered whole (in

fact, none that I've seen). The stratum it was found in has been carbon dated to 3,500 BP +- 200 yrs,

associated with bison bones. It is made from Madison chert from a quarry about 10 miles distant

from the site. The piece has been studied by more than a few professionals who didn't want to give it

back, but it will be curated by the landowner and put on display with the rest of our finds.”

24

COLLECTORS‟ FAVORITE ARTIFACTS

Editor‟s note: In our last edition of the magazine, this was a new section. It was well received, so we are

repeating it with new submissions. As mentioned in the last issue, continuation of it will depend on

YOU. Send your submissions to the Editor at [email protected]. If the artifact has reader appeal and

the photographic qualities are sharp, there is an excellent chance that we will publish it!

Favorites from the Gary Henson Collection

This beautiful Desert General, made of chalcedony, appeared in an earlier publication in the In Situ

section. For obvious reasons, it has become a favorite of the finder, Gary Henson. The Editor collects in

the same area of Southern California as Gary does and has to mention that this is one of the finest

examples he has seen from this collecting area. The point measures 1 1/8 inches and is equally nice on

both sides.

25


Two of Gary‟s favorites: The Agate Basin (left) measures 5 1/4 inches and is from Cedar County,

Missouri. The Hardin (right), also from SW Missouri, measures 5 3/4 inches.

26

Favorites from the Editor’s Collection

This 3 3/8 inch Motley, acquired by the Editor at the 2008 AACA artifact show in Ft. Mitchell,

Kentucky, was found in Robertson County, Tennessee. The tip was restored by “Gomer” just a few

weeks after its acquisition.

Ninety percent of the points found in San Diego County are typically small arrow points measuring only

up to 1.5 inches. This blade, measuring almost three inches, is one of the better pieces the Editor has

seen coming from the area. Made of felsite, it is equally well flaked on both sides. It was found in a dry

creek bed in a high-desert area of the county.

27

From the Editor‟s collection, this Flint River, Georgia blade exhibits heavy hydro-fluvial polish from

tumbling in the waterway. It has a Ben Stermer COA indicating that it is “Late Paleo-Early Archaic”

and made from Coastal Plains Chert.

Left: A 2 1/8 inch stemmed Arizona dart point found in late 2007 and acquired from the finder.

Right: A Desert Sierra arrow point from the Owens Valley in east central California. Also acquired

from the finder. Both in the Editor‟s collection.

28

A Favorite from the Robert Whalen Collection

29

A unique and favorite pipe of Robert and Lori Whalen found in Muskegon County, Michigan. Robert

says “This highly developed Beehive Pipe was recovered along with a few celts and a couple dozen

Hopewell / Snyder points. Although a productive Hopewell site, I believe the pipe is Fort Ancient and

Mississippian in age. Unfortunately this site has now been developed.”

A Favorite from the James Bennett Collection

Well, it's not a Clovis or a world class axe, but a very nice polished slate humped-back adze. One of the

reasons it is my favorite is that I know the Amish boy who found it and the field where it was found here

in Ashland Co., Ohio. I bought it from the finder back in the early 1990's and then sold it when I was

raising money to buy a field next to our farm. I regretted it the moment I sold it. About a year later, I

told a dealer if he ever saw it, I would give him $250 cash if he could get it back and I gave him my

catalog tag number that was on the bottom of it. Two years later, at a relic show in Columbus, he

walked up to my table and told me that I owed him $250, and he handed it back to me. I was tickled to

have it back "home" again, and it sits on my desk where I can appreciate it every day.

Jim Bennett

This is a fine 3-9/16” Decatur made from

“Lightning Line” Coshocton flint. It was

recovered in Mercer County, Ohio. Formerly

in the collection of Everett Cull.

A Favorite from the Robert Dills Collection

30

Steve found this 3 inch

Notched Base Dovetail

in Haverhill, Ohio in

Scioto County. He

believes it is made

from Ft Payne Chert.

“This 3/4 grooved axe was found in Lawrence County, Ohio near the town of Miller on a tomato farm.

It is made from Granite Porphyry and is about 5 1/2 inches long by 3 1/2 inches high. My brother and I

hunt this farm occasionally but since it's such a long drive we don't go there more than once or twice a

year. I just happened to be up that direction doing something for work and decided to drive by. Seeing

that it was plowed, I figured I might as well hunt it. I had only been there twice with my brother and

couldn't remember where the hot spots were, so I called him and he said to enter the field and go left to

the far end. I did so and found this within 15 to 20 minutes. I saw it from a distance and at first thought

it was a celt. I was floored when I walked up on it and saw the axe. The people driving by on the road

less than 50 feet away probably thought I was nuts because I was doing my happy dance.”

Steve Valentine

Favorites from the Steve Valentine Collection

(All Personal Finds)

31

Made from black diorite and measuring 5 inches by 1 1/2 inches, this chisel was found in Scioto County

along the banks of the Ohio River near the town of Wheelersburg, Ohio. Steve says, “It was found right

along the edge of the water rolling back and forth with the waves.”

“The Thebes hafted scraper is also from the

area of Wheelersburg, in Scioto County,

Ohio. It is made from heat treated Carter

Cave Flint that I am told turns this color of

green sometimes when it is heat treated.

When I first saw this piece in the ground I

thought it was just a thumb scraper since

only the tip was exposed. I was very

pleasantly surprised when I pulled it out of

the ground. It is right at 2 inches long by 1

5/8 inches wide and is in pristine

condition.”

Steve Valentine

32

THE CRITTER GALLERY

The AACA Magazine would like to publish your “critter” pictures. Artifact hunters are constantly in

field and forest and often have opportunities to snap pictures of our wild friends. This is one of the joys

of our hobby. Sometimes the only in situ picture the hunter gets is one of an insect or animal. Our

readers would like to see your “critter” pictures! Ideally, pictures should be of creatures you capture on

film while out hunting points. (Please, no zoo pics!) Any type of “creature” will suffice….insects, birds,

reptiles, mammals, etc. Of course, the pics need to be at least of average or better resolution. Send to

[email protected]. We hope that you enjoy the following “Critter Gallery.” Don‟t miss the one at the

end of the article (the “best for last”).

While hunting points in June of 2011, the Editor spotted this little stinker trying to hide in about six

inches of water. Gently handled, some snakes realize that you don‟t want to harm them, and will allow

the type of handling you see above.

33


Just a common Alligator Lizard spotted by the Editor at the 5300 foot level in a Southern California

mountain meadow in mid June of 2011. However, his coloring is very different from his sea level

cousins. He is lighter with more grayish blue tones and some brown splotches on top.

“Peek-a-boo” says this California “Mulie,” caught staring at the Editor in November 2011.

34

Do you remember “Arrow” the Arroyo Toad from our Summer 2011 issue? This is “Rose Springs,”

Arrow‟s once-pollywog girlfriend. Both are endangered species and were raised from tadpoles by

Editor Stangland. Rose did not morph into a toad in time to get her picture in the summer issue with

“Arrow.” She missed it by a few days. Nevertheless, Rose Springs was released into the wild into her

boyfriend‟s San Diego finger canyon only a few days later. The Editor is confident that they found one

another once again!

Lest you forgot: Here is a pic of boyfriend “Arrow”

The ubiquitous and well camouflaged Horned Lizard, captured on cam by Matt

Patstone in late July of 2011 in the desert east of San Diego. 35

!

The Editor found

this near-four foot

critter on August 10,

2011, in a Southern

California mountain

forest. He was

lurking near a

ground squirrel hole

anticipating his next

meal!

In early September of

2011 Matt Patstone

spotted 5 baby

sidewinders. In his

coiled position, the little

serpent to the right is

no larger than a silver

dollar, but is very

aggressive.

36

On a southern California mountain trail in early October of 2011, the Editor and John Dillon found this

little guy, about 10-11 inches long and probably only several weeks old. Notice how this little Gopher

Snake flattens out his head into a triangular form to simulate a rattler to scare off his enemies. But on

this day, he was all bluff and was very cooperative when handled gently.

37

Pictures from Steve Nagle of northeast Kansas. Yes, that‟s a Copperhead.

Another Horny Toad (technically “Horned Lizard”). This little guy was caught scurrying across a path

by David Stangland while departing a site. The young reptile was so full of energy we couldn‟t get him

to stop for a quick portrait, so David scooped him up while his hunting partner (the Editor) recorded his

countenance.

Here he is again for his third issue in row: Gary Henson of Poway, California, with yet another

string of fine Missouri bass. On his annual trek back to his home state, Gary was more

successful this year in finding slimy “critters” than in finding points.

38

Red Diamond Rattlesnake – Desert Phase - Scissors Crossing in the desert east of San

Diego. Photo by Greg Basham.

A gorgeous Banded Gecko spotted near Ocotillo Wells in the desert east of San Diego.

Submission from Greg Basham of California.

39

The Editor took a day off on March 23, 2011, in search of an in situ of the perfect point.

He got skunked..….except for an in situ of this perfect juvenile Southern Pacific Rattler.

This Southern California Mule Deer was sneaking around

on one of the Editor’s favorite sites on March 30, 2011.

These Killdeer eggs were not critters yet, but soon would be when Matt Patstone “camera-captured” them on April 28, 2011, while hiking a 5000 foot elevation meadow in San Diego

County. Matt says…… “The mom and dad were acting like they were injured to lure us away from the nest. After the pic we left them alone. It was absolutely beautiful up there!”

You’ve seen this guy before (on left) in this magazine pulling “critters” out of Missouri creeks.

That’s Gary Henson again doing the same thing with a 17-inch Spotted Bass in April of 2011.

On the right is his friend, Jerry Hawkins, sporting a 16-inch Smallmouth.

This Missouri creek frog, sent in by Gary Henson, demonstrates the art of camouflage.

This is a San Diego County frog demonstrating his camouflage at 5000 feet

in a mountain meadow in late May of 2011. Captured on film by Matt Patstone.

The “Critter Gallery” wouldn’t be complete without a shot of the ubiquitous “Horny

Toad” spotted on desert sand on Sunday, May 22, 2011, by Matt Patstone

This is the Editor’s little friend “Arrow” the endangered-species Arroyo Toad. Arrow and about 70 of his friends were rescued as tadpoles from a Del Mar, California sandy pool that was about to dry up and turn the crew into buzzard bait. I raised “Arrow” and several of his buddies from tadpoles. These pics were taken on July 8, 2011, about 20 minutes before Arrow was returned to the wild in a nearby San Diego canyon similar to the “arroyo” from where Arrow was rescued.

Note the coin. Obviously, this is a baby…..a Sidewinder residing near Ocotillo

Wells in the desert east of San Diego. Photo by Greg Basham.

Desert Hairy Scorpion – Borrego Springs, California Long Nosed Snake – Ranchita, California.

Greg Basham submissions.

40

AACA Director Ken Schmidt comments as follows:

“Looking around a bison jump site, found this friendly bull snake. He hissed twice but settled down for

photos with visitors from England who got some great pictures of a 6‟ snake wrapped around their

shoulders. Let him go without injury to the snake or tourists.
















Attention outdoor enthusiasts-Send your wildlife pics to [email protected] for possible publication in the AACA Magazine.

41


The Story of the North American Buffalo

Compiled by Loyd Doty

Like the humans that would eventually follow, the bison migrated across the Bering land mass and

spread over the entire North American continent. The actual millennium they arrived can only be

guessed at, but various forms of the genus Bison have been an omnipresent element in North America

for a known three million years and were the most prevalent large herbivore during the last 100,000

years. How many centuries during that time were the herds tracked and harvested by man? We know

that it was for a minimum of 12,000 years and could possibly have been for much longer. We also know

that hunting by nineteenth century humans played the central role in the near extinction of bison in

North America, leaving small, closely controlled populations at the end of the 19th century.

The first arrivals, Bison priscus, populated Alaska then evolved into the Bison latifrons that populated

the rest of the continent and prospered for three million years. Then about 22 thousand years ago the

Latifrons died out and were replaced by Bison antiquus, the primary bison species until around ten

thousand years ago. Their extinction along with all the rest of the Pleistocene megafauna brought about

the rise of the Bison bison species we know today. Bison antiquus was taller, had larger bones and horns

and was considerably larger overall than modern bison. The horns of Bison antiquus measured three

feet.

Bison bison is one of the most endearing and noble figures representing the ideal of what the American

West was. Today about all we know of them is what we see in a zoo or park, movies, sculptures or

paintings. The land “where the buffalo roam” is now only a departed image of America‟s rich historical

heritage. The millions that grazed the continent freely prior to European arrival have been reduced to a

few pockets of “managed” populations. Only a hundred fifty years ago, a species that once covered the

plains became endangered.
















42

Left: Bison bison (modern) Right: Bison antiquus (Pleistocene)

Picture source: texasbeyondhistory.net

Skull of Bison Antiquus Pile of Bison Bison Skulls 1870‟s

Bison bison, however, in recent years has been removed from the threatened or endangered species lists.

Per National Park statistics, approximately 30,000 live in private or public herds and another 400,000

are raised as livestock.

How is it possible that herds of millions were decimated following the arrival of the Europeans? What

happened? “Some scholars suggest that in order to make migration to the west easier, the US

government, through the Army, adopted a policy to exterminate the buffalo. Extermination of the

buffalo would inevitably mean the demise of the Indians who so relied on them for almost every aspect

of their existence. Generals Sheridan and Sherman recognized that eliminating the buffalo severely

reduced the Indians' capacity to continue an armed struggle. Army forts provided support and supplies

for hunters who used the civilian services often found nearby. Officers and enlisted personnel also

killed buffalo for food and sport, though the impact of their hunts was minimal when compared to the

organized efforts of the professionals.” Ref: The Military and United States Indian Policy, p. 171

According to Colonel Homer Wheeler, an officer who fought with the United States Fifth and Eleventh

Cavalry for 35 years and who lived to write about his expeditions out West, "Millions of Buffalo were

slaughtered for the hides and meat, principally for the hide. Some of the expert hunters made

considerable money at that occupation.” Ref: Buffalo Days, p. 80

In 1874, Secretary of the Interior Delano testified before Congress, "The buffalo are disappearing

rapidly, but not faster than I desire. I regard the destruction of such game as Indians subsist upon as

facilitating the policy of the Government; destroying their hunting habits, coercing them onto

reservations and compelling them to begin to adopt the habits of civilization.” Ref: The Military and

United States Indian Policy, p. 171

Two years later, reporter John F. Finerty wrote that the government's Indian allies "…killed the

animals in sheer wantonness, and when reproached by some officers, said: „better to kill the buffalo

than have him feed the Sioux.'" Sheridan added that "If I could learn that every buffalo in the northern

herd were killed I would be glad.” Ref: The Military and United States Indian Policy, p. 172
















43

General George Custer had this to say: "To find employment for the few weeks which must ensue

before breaking up camp was sometimes a difficult task. To break the monotony and give horses and

men exercise, buffalo hunts were organized, in which officers and men joined heartily. I know of no

better drill for perfecting men in the use of firearms on horseback, and thoroughly accustoming them to

the saddle, than buffalo hunting over a moderately rough country. No amount of riding under the best

of drill masters will give that confidence and security in the saddle which will result from a few spirited

charges into a buffalo herd." Ref: My Life on the Plains, General George Custer, p. 111

Some of the above referenced evidence seems to point to the existence of an official military policy, but

the debate about whether one actually existed still continues.

There are historical indications that there was some military opposition to the slaughter of the buffalo.

In 1873, the Secretary of War was forwarded a letter from Major R.J. Dodge, endorsed by Generals

Pope and Sheridan, that addressed the problem. The Secretary of War also approved Sheridan's

request which seemed to indicate the general's own ambivalence on the subject, to authorize Col. De L.

Floyd Jones "to put a stop to their wholesale destruction."

Several officers protested the wanton destruction to Henry Bergh, president of the America Society for

the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The army, while anxious to strike against the Indians' ability to

continue their resistance, did not make the virtual extermination of the American bison part of its

official policy; in some cases, individual officers took it upon themselves to try and end the slaughter.

Ref: The Military and United States Indian Policy, p. 171

To provide the reader with additional insight regarding this American icon, the buffalo, the remaining

paragraphs in this article represent miscellaneous and personal accounts from people who lived in those

times.

"Buffalo hunting was dangerous sport. Although at times it looked like murder, if you took a buffalo in

his native element he had plenty of courage and would fight tenaciously if given an opportunity. Like all

other animals, the buffalo scented danger at a distance and tried to escape by running away, but if he

did not escape he would make a stand and fight to the last, for which every one must respect him.” Ref:

Buffalo Days, p. 82

“Some of the habits of the Buffalo herds are clearly fixed in my memory. The bulls were always found

on the outer edge, supposedly acting as protectors to the cows and calves. For ten to twenty miles one

would often see solid herds of the animals. Until the hunters commenced to kill them off, their only

enemies were the wolves and coyotes. A medium-sized herd, at that time, dotted the prairie for

hundreds of miles, and to guess at the number in a herd was like trying to compute the grains of wheat

in a granary.” Ref: Buffalo Days, p. 81

"The stupidity of the buffalo was remarkable. When one of their number was killed the rest of the herd,

smelling the blood, would become excited, but instead of stampeding would gather around the dead

buffalo, pawing, bellowing and hooking it viciously. Taking advantage of this well-known habit of the

creature, the hunter would kill one animal and then wipe out almost the entire herd."

Ref: Buffalo Days, p. 82
















44

In 1873 over 750,000 hides were shipped on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad alone, and it is

estimated that over 7.5 million buffalo were killed from 1872 to 1874. Ref: General Pope and U.S.

Indian Policy, p. 179

“In the fall of 1885, as a young acting assistant surgeon for the United States Army, I was stationed with

A Troop, Fifth Cavalry, for a short time at Cantonment, Indian Territory. We had several bands of

Cheyenne under our care. Among the chiefs we had Stone Calf, Little Robe, Spotted Horse and White

Horse. Having learned the sign language, I had many talks with these Indians. Stone Calf and Little

Robe were greatly troubled over the disappearance of the buffalo. They told me that the Great Spirit

created the buffalo in a large cave in the panhandle of Texas; that the evil spirits had closed up the

mouth of the cave and the buffalo could not get out. They begged me to get permission from the Great

Father at Washington for them to go and open the cave and let the buffalo out. They claimed to know

the exact location of the cave. They even wanted me to accompany them.” Army Surgeon O. C.

McNary. Ref: Buffalo Days, p. 349

In conclusion, hopefully the reader now has a greater appreciation and understanding of the history of

the plains buffalo. Eventually, with the herds greatly reduced to the point of near extinction, the

American government.....which may have played a role in allowing the wholesale slaughter of the

species....stepped forward to enact legislation to protect it, thus allowing the beginning of the

repopulation of this noble American animal.
















45

The Bison

by Steve Nagle

Nomadic seas, thirty million or more,

Over brown waves, the eagle once soared.

Native followed the bison and hunted with spears,

Great Spirit provided for 10,000 years.

Warriors chased them on foot, into deep snow,

Or forced over cliffs, to their death below.

Though killed by the thousands, no dent in the herd,

Only took what they needed, their lives preserved.

Meat butchered and dried, hides softened for clothes,

The muscle sinew, used as strings for their bows.

Both native and bison lived side by side,

The native assured for the Spirit to provide.

On one gray day unfamiliar faces arrived,

And from that day forward began the divide.

Hunters and settlers and long iron tracks,

Senseless and wasteful, the constant attacks.

Red and brown union, erased from the plains,

Settler hunted for sport, ripped life from their veins.

From millions to hundreds, the roaming seas died,

The emptiness filled… with tears from their eyes.
















46

the aaca magazine- volume 9 issue 2

Documents