a few pics of some of my artifacts

[hulagrub]

The casual finding of an artifact, found on the surface or stream side is one thing. But, I am opposed, to the untrained digging of burial sites and/or permanent campsites. The bones are somebodies relative, buried with some of their own personal and sometimes private items. Best left to the trained person.

[NuevoMundo]

I also recall learning that even the most foolhardy archaeologist will not dig up an entire site unless it is in imminent danger of looting or destruction. Methods and technology are constantly advancing such that in the future we may be able to gain much more detailed findings from excavating the same site. Every archaeologist knows that digging up an entire site - even if you are professionally trained - deprives future generations the opportunity to gain an even better understanding of their history. Preservation is key. Good to hear parts of Windover are still intact...

[skystone]

Yes there are a number of well known sites. Particularly in Egypt that I've head of. That were either fully or partially excavated in the 20s & 30s. That are being expanded or even re-excavated for new information that the earlier scientists may have either missed or miss-interpreted. But too I would suppose it would depend on the size of a given site also. But in general the huge amount of data gained with the computer & electronic aids today. Make the whole picture of a site, it's age,history of occupation, layout & apearance are quit excitingly much fuller. Than with earlier techniques. I'm going to have to find out more about the new testing process. It sure holds prommise for site dating that don't contain organic materials. Or that are so far decomposed that they can't be carbon 14 tested. Archaeolgy today sure aint Indianna Jones LOL
Mike

[3rdRockFromTheFun]

FWIW I think this is a wonderful thread, heat and all.

Reasons:

1.) I just learned, in about 20 minutes, more about archeology - museums - construction - etc than I've learned in years.

2.) I am not seeing baseless stone throwing. Yes, it's a bit warm and a few things said were pure emotion - but overall even those few things were sitting atop a paragraph or more of "reason". Be it good, bad or indifferent reason - it's reason, and that, to me at least, maintains a proper debate than that people, even those of us just reading it all, can learn from.

I also loved the comment regarding what we do with rock and how that relates to the history of the earth. That's a really good question.

In sum - I have taken away a lot of good information from this thread in a very juicy concentrated manner and from all sides of the argument. Kudos to +all+ involved! 

[jcinpc]

FWIW I think this is a wonderful thread, heat and all.

Reasons:

1.) I just learned, in about 20 minutes, more about archeology - museums - construction - etc than I've learned in years.

2.) I am not seeing baseless stone throwing. Yes, it's a bit warm and a few things said were pure emotion - but overall even those few things were sitting atop a paragraph or more of "reason". Be it good, bad or indifferent reason - it's reason, and that, to me at least, maintains a proper debate than that people, even those of us just reading it all, can learn from.

I also loved the comment regarding what we do with rock and how that relates to the history of the earth. That's a really good question.

In sum - I have taken away a lot of good information from this thread in a very juicy concentrated manner and from all sides of the argument. Kudos to +all+ involved! 

that is what it is all about , its all an educational process. My rockhounding grew from my love of the artifacts and wanting to know more about the materials Floridas first people used. So I found some of thier quarry sites and some of my own new sites.( and started bringing it home. ( did you know all the coral I was unable to get from a few job sites were loaded into dumpster and hauled to a landfill) crazy huh?

[3rdRockFromTheFun]

Whoa...! Nice coral - huge hunks! 

It's a shame what gets thrown away. I have heard stories of people who go through old landfills just like rockhounds go through dig sites looking for everything from antique glass to fossils.

[rocknroll]

kazam...  that's a nice stash of coral!

[jcinpc]

Whoa...! Nice coral - huge hunks! 

It's a shame what gets thrown away. I have heard stories of people who go through old landfills just like rockhounds go through dig sites looking for everything from antique glass to fossils.

that could be a another thread right there, I do foreclosure home inspections for the banks and you would not believe what is left behind in these homes to be hauled away

[DonniesTreasures]

That's a nice piece of coral!   Were you trying to get in to the truck by yourself in that picture ?????

[jcinpc]

yes Donnie and that is me in deep prayer right there. took a few hours to get it up from a pond to the left of pic and build a quick ramp with other heads of coral.

[DonniesTreasures]

Jeff, what do you do with pieces that big?  I know those buggers are hard as heck to cut but so worth it.  The first cab I ever drilled a hole in was from a piece of coral I got from you & boy did that take forever.

[3rdRockFromTheFun]

Man, I'm looking at all these pictures again - do you own a warehouse or something!? I think I would at least need a very huge shack in back of the house to store all of that stuff! 

[Bentiron]

I konw all the stuff that folk send to the landfill. A friends father recently died and she threw away his bomber jacket from WWII thinking that it had no value on the market and some of his other stuff from other conflicts after thirty years in the air force. These things do have a market and would have brought a goodly amount of money to her mother but they were just put in a black plastic bag and sent to the landfill. What a shame!
I was at the close of an estate sale and they were filling up the dumpster with all the tools that didn't sell so I was loading up the car with all the trash. I later traded most of it off for more useful tools to me. I was happy and the so was the other guy. People just got to stop being so send it to the landfill happy.

[ScarlettoSara]

Recycle, reuse, reduce:)
Jeff loves old and ancient things:) I do too:)

[Redwilder]

I just got to read this thread and wow! Great points from from both sides, good reasoning on both aspects, informed debates and logical opinions. Loved it! I can agree and disagree with both sides fairly equally myself.