Man compiles detailed collection of American Indian artifacts

[Shannon Graham]

Vigo man compiles detailed collection of American Indian artifactsSteve Kash
Special to the Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Walking alone through a farmer’s field on a chilly winter day along rows of harvested corn or beans always gives Indian artifact hunter Herb Mason the feeling he is on the threshold of an exciting discovery. If he keeps his eyes keen, at any moment he might spot a wee dirt clod pedestal, a long-forgotten stone projectile point for a spear or a bow and arrow — maybe even a shard of clay pottery once used to store deer meat or squash.

“Sometimes my spine tingles when I come across an archeological find,” said Mason. “It’s almost spiritual. I might be the first human hand to touch an object in 10,000 years. The mystery of the object’s story is part of the allure of collecting. I cannot help wondering what happened on the day the projectile point was last used. Did it fall out of the Indian’s pouch accidentally? Did it break? Was foul play involved? Or was the stone piece simply thrown away because over many years it had become too small to be reshaped one more time into some other kind of Indian tool?”

Mason is one of Vigo County’s at least two dozen serious hobby hunters of Indian artifacts like projectile points (arrowheads and spearheads). Many senior hunters have been at it for more than 60 years and have very extensive collections.

Full story here.

[irishman254]

cool story, thanks for the link.