Arrowheadology; 2009 in Review

Posted on 31. Dec, 2009 by Shannon Graham in Artifact Finds, Flint Artifacts, Miscellaneous

As the hunt ends for 2009, we look back at the finds from 2009 and they are a plenty; new finds, friends, theories, bits of knowledge and just plain fun.

Before we get into specifics, a big ‘Thank You’ to all you Arrowheadologists is in order. This is your community and it’s no small feat what this stop on the world wide web has become in ten short months. You’ve created the largest online artifact gallery that we’re aware of…artifacts of all types from every corner of the U.S.A. posted by collectors!

Statistically speaking, we’ve welcomed an average of 17 new Arrowheadologists to the community each week and have enjoyed an average of 43 new posts a day.

A special extension of gratitude is in order for the site moderators. Kentlangreder, Mojave, RiverRat, Selturner, & ShowmeMoflint. Thank you.

‘Moderator’ is really a misnomer at Arrowheadology as moderation is virtually never required here. These guys are the ‘Maytag Repair Men’ of sorts in terms of true moderation required. They do however contribute greatly to ensure all are welcomed and that the site continues to enjoy the positive flow and exchange of ideas. Thank you again.

So, what did we learn? What did we contribute in 2009?

Arrowheadologists have shared learnings with schools, boy scout troops, local communities, friends and the Arrowheadology community. Lithic materials have even been shipped across country to other members for study.

We’ve shared mug shots, photos of our artifact rooms, museum trip reports, pictures of hunting spoils, theories on burins and why artifacts were discarded, what tops our ‘most wanted to find’ list, fantastic trip reports and amazing in-situ images from the desert southwest, corn fields, tobacco fields, peanut fields, river banks, gravel bars, lake shores and sand fields. The list goes on and on.

The forums were a lively place at times. Too many threads to call out here but a few of my favorites are Strange things in the desert, Frame designs, and Wall displaying

Arrowheadology comprises a number of folks who are not collectors per se but are certainly interested in primitive technology. Replication studies and even some video on making fire, tanning hides, throwing an atlatl dart, making a bow, hafting arrowpoints, and fluting Clovis points have graced the pages.

It’s not all rocks here either…a little football, grandchildren, dogs, hunting & fishing trophies, nature photos, and even product reviews are sprinkled in for good measure. Also we learned that many members have other interests as well such as firearms, western whiskey bottles, marbles, railroad nails, duck decoys, vintage music instruments, antique cameras, pocket knives, and my personal favorite collecting ‘dust’. I do believe we have the Guiness World Record holder for collector of shed antlers found. Check it out!

What else did we learn? We learned:

• 5″ Clovis points are still out there.
• There are those that continue to push for outlawing arrowhead collecting. Luckily there are collectors and landowners who continue to push back.
• Where to look for arrowheads in the Field Guide for Finding Arrowheads series.
• Fort Ancient culture is rich in history in artifacts (thanks to Steve Valentine!)
• The trials and tribulations of a surface hunter in an unforgiving region in An Anonymous Letter From a Concerned Citizen.
• How artifact collecting information is shared in the Information Age.
• All about atlatls from Bob Perkins’ entertaining presentation.
• How to better curate and document our own collections.
• What the Scottsbluff reduction sequence looks thanks to Woody Blackwell.
• An entertaining thing or two about ourselves in ‘You Might be An Arrowhead Collector If…”.
• About two rare Clovis Caches.
• The Wilson County Sand Pit could be the most prolific Paleo Site in North America.
• Much about artifact shows from great photo reports.

2009 also recorded the passing of several good friends and fellow collectors. They will be missed but not forgotten.

We were also introduced to many new individuals who sought us out to inquire about artifacts they had found and desired to know more about . These new names are the future of collecting. Taking time to share knowledge with them is an investment and greatly appreciated.

A special thanks is also in order to our Panel Advisory Board Members Arrow719, Jim Cox, Lyle Nickel, Manoman and to the many others material contributors (I fear attempting to name them all for fear of omitting someone inadvertently).

Thank you again to all. And in the eve of new beginnings, I sign off with these quotes on the New Year….

New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday.
~Charles Lamb

The merry year is born
Like the bright berry from the naked thorn.
~Hartley Coleridge

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.
~Benjamin Franklin

We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.  ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this:  To rise above the little things.  ~John Burroughs

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I’ve played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest

Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year.  Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.  ~Thomas Mann

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