DoctorWhy
Full Member
The local garden club invited me and a couple friends to metal detect around an old cellar hole on their preserve. Maps of the site show two homesteads predating the 1776 publishing date of the map. The property has been used for recreation and picnicking since the early 60's when the garden club acquired the site. Given that usage, there are a lot of cross-century contamination on the site: bottle caps, pull tabs, etc. Even so, it was very exciting to find these two artifacts, presumably dating back to the mid-1700's/early-1800's.
Found an interesting archeological article about the Jew's Harp (Jaw Harp):
https://www.mackinacparks.com/jaw-harps/
Cannot determine the purpose of the tiny brass 'fancy' artifact. On the right edge of the piece there is a tubular channel. Perhaps the artifact is a fragment of a small hinge or clasp. Any better ideas?
After photographing and researching these relics, I am returning them to the garden club with their promise to preserve and share them with the local community. I am looking forward to returning to the site to see what else we can discover.
Happy Hunting!
--Bert
Found an interesting archeological article about the Jew's Harp (Jaw Harp):
https://www.mackinacparks.com/jaw-harps/
Cannot determine the purpose of the tiny brass 'fancy' artifact. On the right edge of the piece there is a tubular channel. Perhaps the artifact is a fragment of a small hinge or clasp. Any better ideas?
After photographing and researching these relics, I am returning them to the garden club with their promise to preserve and share them with the local community. I am looking forward to returning to the site to see what else we can discover.
Happy Hunting!
--Bert
You know, like when someone digs a bell, and rings it for the first time many decades. Always a joy! 
