archaeology

Sandy’s Notes – Arrowhead Discovery

Last summer, Elsa Cline a camper in Session 6–discovered an "arrowhead" near her cabin in Girlsville. It was made of quartz, beautifully designed and in perfect condition. She found it near where a broken pipe located about two feet underground had been dug up for repair in the spring.

A digital photograph of the unusual point was sent to Dr.Alan May, an archeologist at the Schiele Museum in Gastonia. Dr. May reports that the artifact is a Palmer corner notched point. The Palmer dates from around 10,000 to 8,000 B.C.! Until Elsa made her amazing discovery, the oldest point discovered in base camp was a Guilford Lanceolate point dated from around 4,000B.C.

Green River campers live in cabins built in 1988 on a wooded ridge beside a small stream. Now we have evidence that Native Americans camped on the same ridge and probably played in the same cold, clean water that our campers enjoy today. For nearly 12,000 years people have camped where we camp.

Sandy’s Notes – Animal Tracks & Stone Age Tracks

On my way to scout for a new camp site for the coming summer, I stopped by Ander’s Bottom to set up a trail camera on the stream bank. The trail camera photographs anything moving within its range day or night. Something is happening to our trout and I believe the trail camera may help solve the mystery.

I wish all campers could see the Green River in the snow. The water is clear as the air. Other than the sound of the stream, the forest is absolutely quiet. I see no fish in the stream but close to the river are tracks of coyote and deer and there are ‘turkey scratchings’ in the leaves. There are still acorns on the ground so the animals have sufficient food so far this winter. On the sand bank of Newman’s Pool, I see fresh evidence of a large animal. The water is brutally cold, but this animal apparently has been in the water. I put sardines in front of the trail camera. I’ll let you know what happens.

As I mentioned, Green River needs a new camping shelter for this coming summer. I decided to explore some of the Uncles Creek watershed to look for a suitable location. I found these tracks on a logging road. Later I found similar tracks crossing the road over a small stream.

Can anyone identify these tracks?

Near a small creek I discovered some “percussion flakes”, a sure sign of Stone Age people. Near the knapped stone, I found this. (See photo). I love the Green River. On a Sunday walk I can find tracks of mysterious animals and find stone “tracks” from the Stone Age.