Friday, April 21, 2006

Looking for arrowheads

Farmers are using the no-till method for planting and plowed fields are becoming scarce and hard to find, but last Saturday we located three plowed fields. This week it has rained and the fields are ready….That is…they’re almost ready to be searched for arrowheads.

Unfortunately, it has rained so hard all week, that we must wait for the fields to dry, just a little, or we will be trudging around with heavy laden mud boots. Once the sun shines, it will make the arrowheads glisten in the sun as we walk along the furrows.

Here are two that I found…the larger one measures 5 inches long.

This is a flint heart that I made. I started out, wanting to make an arrowhead, just to see if I could do it, but as I chipped away at the flint I decided to make a heart instead. I was afraid that by making an arrowhead, it would somehow seem as fraud to me…so I have not attempted to make one…But I know it can be done.
I made it in 1989.

Below is a poem that I found on the back of a little pamphlet, around 1964, which I really loved. The pamphlet is long gone, but the poem remains. The author was unknown them and I’m assuming is still unknown now.

A Treasured Implement
Over fields of new turned sod,
Communing with my God
I tramped alone.
And in a furrow bed,
I found an arrowhead
Chiseled from stone.
Then fancy fled on wings,
Back to primeval things
Seeking the light.
What warrior drew the bow,
Sighted, and let it go,
On its last flight.
How often this flinten head,
On deadly errand sped,
I may not know.
Nor will the silent flint,
Reveal the slightest hint,
How long ago.
Were its grim story told,
What tales would it unfold.
Tales that would chill.
I know but this one thing,
Beyond all questioning,
It was made to kill.
Ages have worn away.
Warriors have gone their way.
Their bones are dust.
Proof of a craftsman skill,
Survives the ages still
Left in my trust.


(Author Unknown)



15 comments:

LZ Blogger said...

Cool... that you could actually find stuff like this. I remember about all I ever found was an old 1955 McDonald's burger wrapper! ~ jb///

doubleknot said...

I have never found an arrow head - it sounds all romantic and historical.
We used to seine for sharks teeth in a stream near where I used to live but the owner posted it because people miss used it of course.

somershade said...

I was thinking about him too.

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

LZ...that's funny. We have found old civil war bullets, Indian head pennies and McDonald's wrappers.

Doublenot...you have to get permission because the farmers don't like you tromping thru their fields and they especially don't want their gates left open for their livestock to escape. A lot of disrespectful people have made it hard for the rest of us.

Somershade...That's not why I wrote this post, but I do think of him daily.

Finn said...

Morning Sandy, *VBS*, what a neat posting...thanks for sharing the pictures and the poem. It really does reach in and touch the soul.

I have one arrowhead that I found back in my early 20's, while wandering in my FIL's plowed fields. We were looking for agates, which are pretty common in my part of WI....brought in by glacieral drift.
My arrowhead is about the color that you use for your "titles" here on your blog.
It's one of those odd things that you hang on to, but really have no use for. Same with my agates. I've never had them tumble polished or cut, I just keep the rock the way I found it. People don't do much of that kind of wandering anymore, do they??

bornfool said...

That was a beautiful poem. I can see why you still remember it.
I've dabbled in arrowhead hunting but never had a lot of luck. I like to do it though.

Rachel said...

We used to find arrowheads on the farm when I was a kid.

I have seen some farms posted with signs saying, "No Arrowhead Hunting," back a few years ago.

Lovely poem.

Susie said...

Loved this poem! Sounds like a wonderful way to spend some time outdooors.

Jellyhead said...

Sandy, this was such an intriguing post. The poem was the perfect ending.

You're lucky to possess such amazing pieces of history.

The Four Bears in the Woods said...

Well, I'm back! I am so greatful to have a computer again! Just wanted to let you know I was back up again.

My dad used to look for arrow heads after he worked the tobacco fields. Papa Bear said he used to after they would work the tobacco feilds too.

Mama Bear

Ava said...

I used to go with my Dad when he walked the fields looking for arrowheads. He has gathered quite a large collection.

He used to go "digging" too. He always found something. He has pottery that he found and tons of arrowheads. He has some axe heads, grinding bowls and grinder stones ...

I'll have to take some close photographs next time I am there.

Ava

Kerri said...

Sandy, I loved this post and the poem, which conjures up images of long lost hunter/warriors. What an interesting pastime.
I read this last week but had to rush off before I could leave a comment.

Anonymous said...

You can go back and leave your comments in your usual spot if you'd like. Anywhere that's easiest for your computer to load is fine with me.
I enjoy calling you on the spur of the moment. It's always nice listening to your stories. I told Jimmy about your senior moment (belt) and he told me about the last two he's had in the last few days. He was sorry he missed your call, but he was busy looking for the car at Walmart and that's why he was gone so long. (He drove the jeep). I think all three of us can't be trusted to go out alone, hahaha. love you,me

ps...remember you can go back to the other page if you like and leave your comment there.

Anonymous said...

Hello, here it is 2014 and I see that this blog about the arrowheads and the poem started a while ago. Just want to say a big THANKS for the poem. My friend Will found arrowheads on his farm in Missouri and was able to quote the beginning of this poem. I have searched all afternoon and finally lucked upon your site and will be able to surprise him with the entire poem.What a find! Patt B, Jefferson City MO

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Patt B of Jefferson City MO, thanks for stopping by my blog. That has always been one of my favorite poems and I was afraid that I would misplace or lose it and that is why I posted it here, so it will be forever here for anyone to read. I wish I knew who the author was, but the pamphlet that I got it from in the early 1960's had Author Unknown beneath the poem. It is truly a beautiful poem and as an arrowhead hunter, I can truly appreciate the significance of the poem and it's author.