John's Journal...


Outdoorsmen Find Treasures of the Early Americans

Day 3: Outdoorsman and Treasure Hunter Charles Griffin on Learning More and Valuing Early American Artifacts

Editor’s Note: Most people think of American frontiersmen as the fur traders, pioneers and European settlers who came to this country. But the true frontiersmen were the people who lived here long before Columbus ever discovered America. These civilizations hunted, farmed, lived, died, were buried and were lost or abandoned. If a people are to know their future, they must learn and understand their past. The treasure hunter who helps a people find and know this past performs a service for the early people, their descendants and all mankind. Many outdoorsmen enjoy studying early times and using their metal detectors. Always be sure to check state and federal regulations associated with treasure hunting. In 2013, I met 74-year old Charles Griffin of Shelby County, Alabama, who had been hunting arrowheads and Indian artifacts for 67 years. Like many youngsters with no TV or sports teams to play on in the country, Griffin had been and still is fascinated with the stone tools, arrowheads and pottery he found on his family’s 100-acre farm that his great, great grandfather settled in 1816 after fighting with General Andrew Jackson in the Indian Wars. http://youtu.be/iopUtnpGsKI.

Learning More:

Click for Larger ViewClick for Larger ViewAt artifact shows, relic hunters and archaeologists buy, sell and show early-American artifacts. Each state has an archaeological society. Griffin belongs to the Volunteer State Archaeology Society of Tennessee (https://www.tocynbro.com/ARCHAEOLOGY/voluntee.htm) and the Alabama Archaeological Society, (https://www.alabamaarchaeology.org), the Alabama organization. Each quarter, these organizations publish a listing of all the show dates in the backs of their journals. Under the new guidelines, artifact hunters can pick up artifacts on their properties and others, if they have written permission. You can hunt on public property, but you only can pick up artifacts that are completely uncovered. You can’t dig for artifacts, and you can’t hunt at all on federal lands.

“Many of the artifacts you’ll find at shows now were found or dug-up before 1989, when the new federal guidelines were established,” Griffin emphasizes. “But in 1989, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (http://www.nps.gov/nagpra/FAQ/INDEX.HTM) was enacted. The law dictated that any artifact found on top of the ground should be reburied. Check on any state laws or regulations that pertain to collecting early American artifacts.”

Valuing Early American Artifacts:

Click for Larger ViewClick for Larger ViewEarly American artifacts can be bought, sold or traded as long as the show is not held on state or federal property. “A field grade arrowhead point and other artifacts may sell for an average from $2 to $5,” Charles Griffin explains. “Paleolithic artifacts can sell for over $150,000. I have a friend who sold one of the best Cumberland points ever found for $150,000. Depending on the condition, a pot sells for $200 to $20,000, atlatl points from several hundred dollars up to thousands of dollars, an adz for $15 up to thousands of dollars and Native American Celts artifacts from $50 into the thousands of dollars. Trade beads are relatively inexpensive unless they’re rare beads.” Yes, artifacts do have value, however, I feel that finding the everyday tools and ornaments of people who lived on the earth years ago helps us understand the cycle of life.

Learning the Truth about Burial Sites of the Early People:

Click for Larger ViewAccording to Charles Griffin, “The early people didn’t really bury their dead but put bodies under rock shelters or in caves. During the Woodland Period, Native Americans buried people facing the sun in a prone position in graves only 18 inches to 3 feet deep. Many of these unmarked graves were plowed up by farmers or uncovered by rain and erosion.” Griffin also mentions that for a short time in Alabama, the bones of the deceased were put in burial urns, or the bodies had a large clay pot turned upside down over them. After battles, often injured survivors would go to water to be close to drinking water and food. That’s why a good number of artifacts are found around stream beds, the shores of rivers and springs.

Share this page with a friend!

Check out our new website at www.johninthewild.com.

About the Author

John Phillips, winner of the 2012 Homer Circle Fishing Award for outstanding fishing writer by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame, is a freelance writer (over 6,000 magazine articles for about 100 magazines and several thousand newspaper columns published), magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as industry catalogues (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, book author and daily internet content provider with an overview of the outdoors. Click here for more information and a list of all the books available from John E. Phillips.

Tomorrow: Treasure Hunting Videos of Charles Griffin’s Discoveries


Check back each day this week for more about Outdoorsmen Find Treasures of the Early Americans

Day 1: Treasure Hunters Find a Creek Nation Silver Crown from the Early 1800s
Day 2: How to Hunt Ancient Americans’ Treasures with Charles Griffin
Day 3: Outdoorsman and Treasure Hunter Charles Griffin on Learning More and Valuing Early American Artifacts
Day 4: Treasure Hunting Videos of Charles Griffin’s Discoveries
Day 5: More Treasure Hunting Videos of Charles Griffin’s Discoveries

ALL CONTENT PROTECTED UNDER THE DIGITAL MILLENIUM COPYRIGHT ACT. Content theft, either printed or electronic is a federal offense.

 

Entry 834, Day 3